TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Hope is breaking ground Monday on its homeless shelter community center.

Two months ago, residents began using the first small cottages built for the homeless at the Tampa Hope shelter in east Tampa.

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa Hope building a community center at its homeless facility featuring 99 tiny homes 

  • Community center will offer ammenities and resources for the homeless at its east Tampa facility

  • Catholic Charities Tampa Hope

The 7,000-square-foot “Matthew 25 Community Center,” built at the shelter, will offer a kitchen and dining area, restrooms, showers, salon, and a laundry room.

The community center will be the focal point of the shelter, operated by Catholic Charities. The community holds 99 tiny homes that measure 64-square-feet each.

The air-conditioned cottages are equipped with a bed, a window and storage space.

The nonprofit has worked with the city of Tampa for two-and-a-half years to fund and build resources that have benefited hundreds of unhoused men and women with its 125 tents and 99 cottages.

Currently, Tampa Hope has served more than 1,100 clients, and has placed 358 in housing after their stay.

“I am proud of the work already done by the staff of Tampa Hope and their city of Tampa counterparts to address the care of our most vulnerable residents,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “But there is still much work to be done. This community center is one more step toward addressing homelessness in a way that is compassionate and considerate.”

The $1.5 million center will be on six acres owned by Catholic Charities east of Ybor City and will serve as a natural progression from campground-like facilities to the more permanent facilities clients will navigate as they move to stable housing.

“We are excited to begin construction of the Matthew 25 Community Center funded through the generosity of Drew and Susan Peloubet,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Maggie Rogers. Our clients will soon be able to have a single facility housing with all the necessary amenities.”

Since its opening in December 2021, Tampa Hope has served men and women ranging in age from 18 to 60+ years old, with the average length of stay around 90 days.

Among the services provided include three daily meals, toiletries, clothing, medical care, life skills and financial management classes and substance abuse and mental health treatment.

The Matthew 25 Community Center is expected to open in 2025.