Fiscal Year 2027 Cold Weather Shelter Partnerships

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners is seeking partnerships with qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, faith-based organizations, shelters, or community service providers in good standing with the State of Florida to provide temporary shelter for vulnerable residents during the Fiscal Year 2027 Cold Weather Season, running from November 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. The program is activated when temperatures drop to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including wind chill, for two consecutive hours between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. EST. Selected partners must be able to provide shelter within 24 hours of notification, with congregate shelters opening by 6:00 p.m. on activation day and non-congregate shelters making vouchers available by the same time. The total estimated project budget is 250,000.00 dollars, though the County does not guarantee a minimum purchase. Eligible providers can operate congregate shelters, which must accommodate at least 10 people and provide essential utilities and restrooms, or non-congregate shelters using motel vouchers. Compensation includes capacity-based stipends for congregate facilities and administrative fees for non-congregate providers ranging from 5,000.00 to 10,000.00 dollars based on the number of rooms. Additional reimbursements are available for actual motel room costs, security costs up to 300.00 dollars per activation, and incidentals up to 5,000.00 dollars for non-congregate shelters. Proposals must be submitted via the Euna Procurement system by October 9, 2026, and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Mandatory requirements include a drug-free workplace certification, specific liability insurance coverages, a foreign country of concern affidavit, and annual facility inspections.