Fiscal Year 2027 Cold Weather Shelter Partnerships

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners is requesting qualifications for partnerships to provide shelter to vulnerable residents during the FY 2027 Cold Weather Season, with proposals due October 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible applicants are registered 501(c)(3) organizations, faith-based organizations, shelters, or community service providers in good standing with the State of Florida.

The County activates its Cold Weather Shelter Plan when temperatures at Plant City Municipal Airport drop to 40 degrees or below, including wind chill, for two consecutive hours between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. between November 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Organizations may apply to operate congregate shelters (minimum 10-person capacity) or non-congregate motel voucher programs. Congregate shelters must open by 6:00 p.m. on activation days and remain open until at least 6:00 a.m. the following day, with adequate heat, plumbing, electricity, separate male and female restrooms, meal service (hot dinner, beverages, take-away breakfast), and security. All applicants must pass annual inspection by Hillsborough County Code Enforcement or provide reports from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Congregate shelter stipends range from $5,333 (up to 10-person capacity) to $16,000 (61–80 capacity) based on a minimum of 20 activation nights per season, with $400 per additional activation day. Non-congregate operators receive administrative fees of $5,000 (up to 25 rooms), $7,500 (26–50 rooms), or $10,000 (51–75 rooms), plus reimbursement for actual room costs and incidentals up to $5,000 and security costs up to $300 per activation. The total project estimate is $250,000 for FY 2027. Stipends are distributed 50% upon execution and 50% at season end in March 2027.

Applicants must submit a completed CWS Partnership Application, security plans for congregate shelters, facility inspection reports, operating licenses, proof of insurance with Hillsborough County as additional insured, drug-free workplace certification, W9 form, and direct deposit authorization. Insurance from Florida-authorized providers with A.M. Best ratings of A- Class 7 or better is mandatory before work commences, with requirements including Commercial General Liability ($1 million to $5 million), Automobile Liability ($300,000 to $1 million combined single limit), Workers' Compensation, and specialized coverages. The County reserves the right to award multiple contracts and will formalize agreements as Blanket Purchase Agreements or Contract Purchase Agreements, with user departments issuing Standard Purchase Orders on an as-needed basis.