Homeless Shelter app Pinellas County

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A year after Florida’s “Unauthorized Public Camping and Sleeping” law took effect, a new mobile app is helping outreach workers in Pinellas County connect people experiencing homelessness to shelter beds more quickly.

The Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) has launched the Community Services Mobile App, powered by WellSky, giving street outreach teams real-time access to available shelter beds across the county. The tool works much like a hotel booking app — allowing staff to see which shelters have open beds, filter by service type, and even get directions and contact details.

“This is the first time we’ve had something like this,” said Imani Smith, manager of HMIS and system administration for HLA. “Street outreach teams can use a phone or tablet to check shelter availability and make faster referrals on the spot.”

The app connects directly to the Pinellas Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), ensuring outreach staff always have the most up-to-date information on shelter capacity and services.

Smith says the need for accurate, real-time data is urgent.

“We have more than 800 beds across Pinellas County, but compared to the number of people experiencing homelessness, it’s still not enough,” she said. “This mobile app helps us communicate better with providers and make sure that every available bed is used.”

The Homeless Leadership Alliance says the launch reflects a larger, data-driven approach to reducing homelessness and improving coordination among service providers.

Last winter, the organization opened cold-weather shelters a record 10 times, underscoring the importance of quick, coordinated responses when temperatures drop.

“We’re investing in local solutions to reduce street homelessness and help people in crisis,” said Cheri Holzbacher, CEO of the Homeless Leadership Alliance. “This app is one more step toward making sure no bed stays empty when someone needs a place to sleep.”