OCALA, FL (352today) – Marion County Community Services is proud to announce a partnership with Interfaith Emergency Services, Inc., to expand local support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Through the Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care (CoC) FL-514, more than $1 million in state and federal funding will be distributed to nonprofit organizations dedicated to housing and community stability.
At the Oct. 21, 2025, county commission meeting, commissioners approved an agreement authorizing the chair and clerk to execute all necessary documentation for the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) with Interfaith Emergency Services, Inc. This action follows the county commission’s approval of July 15, to an agreement with the Florida Department of Children and Families to manage and distribute the funds locally.
In total, Marion County received $1,074,578.51 in funding to support local homeless assistance programs:
- Emergency Solutions Grant: $242,339.34
- Challenge Grant: $800,664.84
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Grant: $31,574.33
As part of the approved Continuum of Care Plan, nonprofit organizations were invited to apply for these funds to support critical community priorities. Interfaith Emergency Services, Inc. will receive $104,870 through the ESG program to help sustain emergency shelter operations and expand services that address homelessness throughout Marion County.
Interfaith Emergency Services is a local nonprofit organization that provides food, shelter, and assistance to individuals and families in need. The organization serves as a lifeline for those facing economic hardship, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services that promote independence and stability. To learn more about Interfaith Emergency Services, visit iesMarion.org. For information about Marion County’s housing and community improvement initiatives, visit MarionFL.org/CommunityServices.