Melissa’s Place formerly known as Lake Village at the Glades, is one of only three shelters in Palm Beach County that offers emergency housing and is the first of its kind in the Glades.

The county picked up the Pahokee site in the spring of 2020 after the code violations, including mold-covered walls, piled so high that it was foreclosed upon. Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay petitioned the commission for $5 million to renovate the 42-unit property to address logistical needs driven by COVID-19 with an eye to serving the region's homeless when the pandemic crisis ebbed.

In less than a year, the facility underwent an entire facelift. The walls were re-conditioned and repainted, a new air-conditioning system was installed and the bedrooms were furnished.

The center, which is staffed by Glades residents, provides 42 one bedroom/one bath units for families, seniors, couples and singles. The units will be used for emergency housing for up to 90 days and supportive housing for up to 24 months, all the while receiving individually determined wraparound services.

The facility does not accept walk-ins and operates on a referral-basis only. Referrals occur after assessment and entrance into the coordinated entry system at the Belle Glade Intake and Assessment Center.