Guide to assistance programs from Tampa Crossroads.
Tampa Crossroads, Inc. has been operating in Hillsborough County since 1977 - making it one of Tampa's longest-running social services nonprofits. This page covers how the organization help veterans, people with disabilities, individuals dealing with addiction or mental health challenges, and low-income families seeking stable housing. Its approach is holistic: rather than addressing a single need in isolation, Tampa Crossroads tries to understand the full picture of what a person is dealing with and connect them to the right combination of programs.
The main office is at 5109 North Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33603. The main phone is (813) 238-8557. The website is https://tampacrossroads.com/.
A note on who Tampa Crossroads serves
Tampa Crossroads serves residents of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties, though specific program eligibility and geographic coverage varies by program. Athena House, as noted, accepts women from across Florida. SSVF serves veterans in the Tampa Bay region. The VRE program focuses on Hillsborough and Pasco. Eco Oaks apartments are located in Tampa.
The organization does not require applicants to share any particular religious affiliation to receive services. Tampa Crossroads is CARF-accredited, meaning its programs are reviewed against recognized quality standards for rehabilitation and human service organizations.
SSVF: housing help for veterans and their families
The Veterans Assistance Center runs the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. SSVF provides a range of supportive services to two groups: veterans who are currently homeless and need help moving into permanent housing, and veterans with low income who are at imminent risk of losing their housing and becoming homeless.
Financial aid may be available through SSVF for specific needs including security and utility deposits, bus passes, and emergency back rent. Case managers also provide outreach services, referrals to VA benefits and other government programs, free legal aid, and job skills and training support. See more on our guide to SSVF page
An important eligibility note: if you have served in the U.S. military, you may qualify for SSVF assistance even if you do not qualify for VA healthcare. Pre-screening is available by phone — call 813-238-8557. Walk-ins and referrals are also welcome.
Athena House: transitional housing for female veterans
Tampa Crossroads operates Athena House, which holds a significant place in the history of veterans' services: when it opened in 2009, it was the first housing program specifically for homeless female veterans in the nation. Located in a century-old building in Ybor City that once served as a rooming house for returning World War II veterans, Athena House offers transitional housing for up to 16 women at a time, for a stay of generally up to two years.
The program is drug- and alcohol-free, with 24-hour supervision by professional support staff. Residents work with case managers on employment goals, independent living skills, and access to VA healthcare, benefits, and other services. Individual and group counseling is available throughout the stay, along with classes in budgeting, nutrition, and other life skills. The goal is to move each resident toward permanent, stable housing and self-sufficiency.
Athena House accepts homeless female veterans from across the state of Florida — not just the Tampa area. Women from Miami to Jacksonville have been brought to Athena House for services. Since opening, the program has served more than a thousand women veterans. Women are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless veteran population nationally, and programs specifically designed for their needs remain rare.
Tampa Crossroads works with the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa and Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in St. Petersburg to coordinate care and access to VA services for Athena House residents. To inquire about the program or refer a female veteran, call (813) 238-8557. If other options are needed, see Tampa area transitional housing options.
Eco Oaks Apartments: affordable housing in Seminole Heights
For low-income individuals and families who need stable, long-term housing — not transitional programs — Tampa Crossroads manages Eco Oaks Apartments, a gated community of 18 environmentally designed one- and two-bedroom apartment homes in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa. The community is family-friendly, within walking distance of grocery stores and bus routes, and has on-site property management with flexible lease terms.
Income eligibility is based on 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This range makes Eco Oaks accessible to a wide band of low- and moderate-income households, from the very low income to working families who earn too much for the lowest-income programs but still can't afford market-rate apartments in the Tampa Bay area, where rents have risen substantially in recent years.
Vocational Rehabilitation Employment (VRE): employment support for adults with disabilities
The Vocational Rehabilitation Employment (VRE) Program supports adults with disabilities in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties who want to find meaningful employment. Tampa Crossroads operates as a contracted provider to the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within the State Department of Education.
Each client is assigned an employment specialist who works with them individually, beginning with a review of their educational background, work experience, and goals. From there, the specialist assists with resume preparation, job searches, interview coaching, and on-the-job support once employment is secured. Transportation to and from interviews in Hillsborough County is provided as needed.
In-house training classes cover job application skills, interview preparation, networking, workplace expectations including punctuality and professional appearance, and how to access community resources. The program is designed to be flexible — coaching methods are adjusted to match each client's progress and the specific demands of their industry.
BeWell Behavioral Wellness Center: counseling and mental health support
The BeWell Behavioral Wellness Center provides mental health and behavioral wellness counseling to individuals facing a range of challenges, including trauma, addiction, and crisis situations. Treatment is individualized — the first step is an in-depth assessment to understand a client's specific needs and set goals, and the length of treatment is determined by the client and counselor together.
Tampa Crossroads takes a holistic, family-centered approach to treatment, addressing physical, emotional, and social aspects of a person's health rather than a single presenting problem. BeWell accepts referrals from other agencies and programs; in some cases, a referring agency may have guidelines that influence the structure of the treatment plan.
Rose Manor: women's residential treatment program
Rose Manor is Tampa Crossroads' residential treatment program for women, housed in a historic home built over 100 years ago in Hillsborough County. The program has served women for more than 25 years and is licensed and accredited. It offers a structured, supportive environment for women working toward recovery from addiction or mental health challenges, with individual and group counseling and evidence-based treatment approaches.
How to get started
The best starting point for most Tampa Crossroads programs is calling (813) 238-8557 to describe your situation and be directed to the right program. Walk-ins are also welcome at the main office at 5109 North Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33603. More information on each program is available at tampacrossroads.com..
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