Pensacola’s New Horizons Village Opens First Phase of Pallet Shelters for People Experiencing Homelessness

Opening Doors Northwest Florida and Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola have opened the first phase of a new pallet shelter village designed to move people off the streets and into stable housing.

Phase one of the New Horizons Village includes 14 small, individual shelters and a large hygiene trailer equipped with showers and bathrooms. Outreach teams with Opening Doors will identify people sleeping in tents, cars or on the street, prequalify them and refer them to move in.

Each shelter is designed to last about 10 years, though most residents are expected to stay roughly 90 days as they work with case managers on what organizers describe as a “continuum of care,” moving from crisis to permanent, stable housing. “Many of these people, they want to be able to prosper. They just need some help and direction, and that’s part of what this program provides, is all of that,” a program representative said.

Organizers said the first residents could move in within four to five days.

How the model works

Opening Doors Northwest Florida is the lead agency for the regional Continuum of Care covering Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the federally recognized coalition that coordinates homeless services and referrals in the area. Pallet shelters are small prefabricated units that can be assembled quickly on a site, which is why cities around the country have used them as interim housing while residents work toward permanent placements.