Over the past several years, we have heard many stories of HOPE members or their loved ones who have experienced unnecessary stops by law enforcement because of the color of their skin. They are pulled over for no reason and are let go without an explanation, warning, citation, or arrest. Many shared about their fear

Increasing Access to Mental Health & Addiction Services Too many people with substance use and mental health disorders are being arrested. They end up in a system that cannot properly serve them. Our jails and prisons have become warehouses for people with substance use and mental health disorders because of stigma and

Monitoring the County's HOPE Affordable Housing Act Hillsborough County Families Cannot Afford their Homes. Affordability is no more than 30% of income being spent on housing costs. Over 200,000 families (40%) pay more than 30% in housing costs in Hillsborough County. 104,540 families (20%) in Hillsborough pay 50% or more on housing;

Juvenile Justice: Civil Citations In 2014, HOPE members started working together to reduce youth arrests by increasing the number of misdemeanor offenses eligible for a youth civil citation in the Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program policy. At that time, Hillsborough had only a 30% youth civil citation usage rate, thereby arresting 1,050 children

Improving Access to Elder Care In the last 5 years, the senior population in our county has seen the greatest percentage growth of all age groups with a 1.4% increase. However, home-based and community-based services, which allow seniors to live with dignity and independence, have decreased significantly. These services include door-to-door transportation to