Pinellas County is planning to build a health clinic for the poor and homeless who need the help in the same Largo complex that is also home to the county jail and the area's largest homeless shelter.
A $5 million federal grant is slated to pay for the construction of the proposed two-story building as early as this summer. Programs such as mental health services, housing placement assistance, and primary medical care will be made available at this new facility. A children's room and small library are also planned to be housed on the first floor and a "respite center" for those who have just discharged from the hospital and are unable to return to living on the street will be on the second floor.
Dental checkups, gynecological exams and pediatric services will also be offered at the medical clinic.
This new facility will be focused toward the growing population of the county's homeless citizens and families as a no-judgement service for free health care. Gwendolyn Warren, director of the county's Department of Health and Human Services said "We want to promote this place as a truly safe place for parents to bring their children."
The clinic is scheduled to open in 2015 and will face 49th Street North and be across the corner to Safe Harbor, the homeless shelter that is operated by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
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