JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said Tuesday the number of unsheltered people has dramatically dropped since the department introduced an initiative to reduce homelessness.
RELATED: How JFRD’s PATH team tackles homelessness in Duval County amid growing challenges
The program called Providing Assistance to the Homeless (PATH) was introduced last year. It’s a seven-person team made up of JFRD members that works with unhoused individuals to connect them with resources and shelter.
The team takes on the issue of homelessness amid a Florida law that bans the unhoused from sleeping outdoors overnight in public places.
Back in February, JFRD updated city council about the decrease in numbers, highlighting the program’s effectiveness.
On Tuesday, at a finance committee meeting, JFRD said there was a dramatic decrease in numbers according to a recent count in Clay, Nassau, and Duval counties, with a majority coming from Duval. One person who understands the struggles of not having permanent housing, it’s a man named Robert. Robert opted not to share his last name publicly, but said he’s been unhoused on and off for several years. He’s had a chance to meet many people facing the same struggles he is.
“It’s hard for a lot of them,” Robert said. “If you’re outside a year, your mind screams sometimes, ‘it’s never going to change’. There might be a lot of us, but how is it going to change?”
Chief Powers said the definition of an unsheltered individual is someone who is sleeping in a space not meant for human habitation, such as a park, sidewalk, car, or abandoned building.
There was a total reduction of 276 unsheltered people last year in three counties, including 235 fewer in Duval, 16 fewer in Nassau County, and 25 fewer in Clay County.
That’s a drop of 49% from 566 in 2024 to 290 in 2025, Powers said.
Powers said their belongings are being stored in a facility downtown. The drop in numbers was welcome news for councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman. Pittman, who sits on the finance committee, was there for the chief’s presentation.
“One of the things I said yesterday at the meeting is that I’ve been doing this work for 37 years now,” Pittman said. “And I’ve never seen where I’ve come downtown where I didn’t see any homeless on the street.”
Pittman is president and CEO of the Clara White Mission and pointed to area shelters providing more bed space and outreach. Plus, the work with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the JFRD PATH team. At one point during the presentation, the Chief was asked about the future.
“The beds we’re talking about here are just temporary, they are funded through September 30th of this year,” Powers told council members. “There will be an ask coming in the JFRD budget that will come to this council to extend those beds for another year.”
Pittman said having a plan in the months to come is the way to go.
“We want to make sure that this is taken care of, and that is a passion of the folks in the community, and to get something done,” Pittman said. “Not to just talk about it, but we have actually put our money where our mouth is.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said since Oct. 1, it has issued 775 camping violations and since Nov. 1, they’ve made 198 arrests.
They’ve also issued 54 notices to appear in court.
For JSO’s Homeward Bound program, from Oct. 1, 242 travelers were given bus tickets for a total of $45,000.
In 2025, 149 travelers were given bus tickets for a total cost of $28,000, JSO said. Tuesday.
The PATH team is also working with Trinity Rescue Mission, City Rescue Mission and Salvation Army.
