In 2008, local citizens, concerned about those experiencing homelessness in our area organized the Okaloosa/Walton Homeless Continuum of Care/Opportunity Inc. The Continuum served as the umbrella organization for coordinating efforts geared to eliminate and prevent homelessness while simultaneously operating Opportunity Place as a shelter for families and single women. The facility at 305 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach was purchased by the Okaloosa Community Development Corporation (OCDC) and State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP). The very first day the shelter opened, five adults and fourteen children were provided with a safe place to stay, a hot meal, clothing, and the promise of better days ahead.
In 2015, the Board of Directors and the stakeholders of the Continuum adopted a new Charter that called for the separation of responsibilities. The Continuum became the Homelessness and Housing Alliance (HHA) and the shelter became Opportunity Place, Inc (OPI). Throughout this time, our mission at Opportunity Place, Inc., has remained the same: to help families and single women, who are homeless, become self-sufficient. Since 2008, more than 3,000 children, their parents and single women have been provided safe shelter and a pathway to succeed.