She notes that research shows that quality affordable housing combined with comprehensive supportive services is an effective model for keeping vulnerable homeless populations permanently housed and off the streets."

With units ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, the 4-story apartment building will offer amenities including a community meeting space, a fitness center, a computer lab, and a library – all designed to encourage community building and social interaction among residents. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2020.

Carrfour will serve as the project's developer, operator and service coordinator, while Steadytown – in collaboration with the Brevard Health Alliance – will facilitate on-site supportive services aimed at helping residents achieve wellness independence, including a full range of behavioral health and primary care services.

Brevard Health Alliance, Brevard County's only federally qualified health center, also plans to open a new 1,100-square-foot on-site clinic for residents on the development's ground floor. The new Heritage Park health clinic will be staffed with rotating medical doctors, nursing staff, a psychologist and psychiatrist. Providing these medical and behavioral health services at an on-site patient-centered clinic with flexible hours will eliminate transportation barriers and enhance coordination, continuity of care and compliance for Heritage Park residents.

The Florida Housing Data Clearing Housing reports that about 41,700 households in Brevard pay more than 50% of their income on housing, with approximately 30,700 of those households earning less than 50% of the area's median income.

In the City of Melbourne, 5,335 households are housing cost burdened by more than 50% and 12,670 households reported at least one housing problem, such as incomplete kitchen/plumbing facilities, and more than one person living in a room. The United Way ALICE Report found that 34% of the households in Brevard cannot afford basic needs such as housing, childcare, food, healthcare and transportation.