About Us

Sulzbacher opened its doors in December of 1995 as the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the homeless in response to the explosion of crisis homelessness that happened in the nineties both in Jacksonville and nationwide. The agency was founded by three groups, the City of Jacksonville, a group of area businesses, and the United Way of Northeast Florida. Unlike other homeless shelters, Sulzbacher was founded on the premise that homeless persons need and deserve more than just a meal and a bed to end their homelessness. Sulzbacher provides a continuum of care approach, addressing all aspects of homelessness including housing, income and health care. In the 30 years since the agency opened, the services have grown to include street outreach, primary health, behavioral health and dental care for all ages, permanent housing, job placement and early learning.


Mr. I. M. Sulzbacher 1913-2001

Sulzbacher takes its name and inspiration from a man who exhibited extraordinary civic leadership and concern for the poor, I.M. Sulzbacher. Mr. Sulzbacher was a successful insurance broker and civic leader who entered politics during the Jacksonville Consolidation era and was elected to the Jacksonville City Council in 1968. Out of his concern for people experiencing homelessness, he helped raise awareness of the problem, and convinced his fellow council members of the need for the city to help. With the support of city administrator Lex Hester, the dedication of a homeless facility on city land was included in the 1993 River City Renaissance plan. The I. M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless opened in 1995. Mr. Sulzbacher died on June 5, 2001 and his spirit of giving and his dedication to the poor lives on at Sulzbacher.

IM-and-Hazel-Sulzbacher-REV

Agency History

  • 1994
  • Incorporated as a 501(c) (3)
  • Began providing primary health and dental services at area churches


  • 1995
  • Opened main campus as a men’s shelter


  • 1996
  • Expanded dormitories to include women and families with children
  • Brought primary health care on site


  • 2000
  • Began HOPE (Homeless Outreach Project Expansion) mobile outreach


  • 2001
  • Became a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC)


  • 2005
  • Built Children’s Program Building on main campus


  • 2006
  • Opened new Hugh H. Jones, Jr. Medical / Dental Building, brought dental on-site
  • 2008
  • Opened satellite medical / dental / behavioral health clinic in Jacksonville Beach


  • 2013
  • Built out 2nd floor in main shelter building and completed Veteran’s Dormitory
  • Built out Medical Respite Unit


  • 2017
  • Expanded health services from Health Care for the Homeless to add Community-Based
  • Broke ground on Sulzbacher Village for Women and Families


  • 2018
  • Opened Sulzbacher Village for Women and Families.
  • Opened Crawford Early Learning Center at the Village


  • 2019
  • Opened Urban Rest Stop in partnership with Mental Health Resource Center and Goodwill and the City of Jacksonville
  • 2021
  • Initiated the Mental Health Offender Project (MHOP)
  • 2023
  • Obtained Certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
  • 2024
  • Obtained Substance Abuse Treatment Licensure from the State of Florida
  • 2025
  • Closed on the financial funding for Phase 1 of the Enterprise Village (housing) and broke ground in July