Leah Stockton, Director of Development and Engagement for Keys Health and Housing joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the county.
The organization has a new name.
Stockton said, “We just rolled out our new name at the end of last month. So as of this month, April 2026, AH Monroe and Florida Keys Outreach Coalition are united under our new name, Keys Health and Housing.”
The Taste of Key West and the Vintner’s dinner was a huge success.
Stockton said, “It was one of the best years we’ve ever had. We had tremendous support from our sponsors all across the board there. We always appreciate every one of the restaurants and beverage purveyors who turn out for Taste of Key West. We had over 40 this year donating their time and their food to support the event. And of course, everybody who came out and had a good time. It was a beautiful night, gorgeous sunset, wonderful weather. It’s a tremendous evening supporting our work in the community. So thank you to everybody. We hadn’t had the Vintner’s Dinner since 2019 and we brought it back just this year for the 40th anniversary, so that won’t be an ongoing event that we have. But it was fun. It was at Williams Hall, which was beautiful. We had delicious wine, amazing food by local chefs. So it was also a great event. And that was actually the first night where we sort of unveiled the new name dramatically there on stage, and then continued the celebration into Taste of Key West on that Monday evening.”
The organization was founded 40 years ago to provide safe housing for residents, access to life saving medical care for people living with AIDS and HIV, as well as emergency assistance for community members.
Stockton said, “Keys Health and Housing really reflects the work that we’re doing today and what we have planned for the future. We continue to expand. The organization has largely been based in Key West and we’re continuing to expand up into Monroe County. We’ve always had clients throughout Monroe County, but we’re starting to expand our housing into the county and so that piece really ties in. And just the fact that we do both health and housing, that this is not an either or, that we see these two things as connected for now and for all the work that we continue to do. We have everything from emergency shelter all the way to permanent affordable housing. On the housing side, many people don’t know that we operate a food pantry, and we provide emergency assistance for things like rent and utilities for the community at large, and then our healthcare side, we serve people living with mental health diagnoses, geriatric care, as well as people living with HIV. It’s sort of a broad spectrum, but also it all ties back to that core belief that health and housing are fundamental to someone’s ability to thrive.”
The organization may have a new name, but it’s the same commitment.
Stockton said, “That’s the way that I’m explaining it, very, very simply. But we’re looking forward to it. Always lots going on. We we don’t just sit around over there. There’s always lots going on. So it’s exciting. It’s exciting to be part of, and we appreciate the community. The Lofts are at full occupancy, but we are taking names for the wait list, so anybody who’s interested, you can email us and get on the list or give us a call. And next up on the horizon, we’re working on expanding into Marathon. We’re going to be opening a new women and children’s program in Marathon, and we hope to break ground on that building yet this year. And so it’s moving right along. We are starting a new geriatric home health program focused on our clients that have those needs as they age in place. So that’ll roll out over the summer as well. Thank you to everybody who has always supported us. If you’d like to continue to do so, or somebody new out there that’s interested in our work, please reach out. And likewise, on the other side, if you’re in need of help, please reach out. That’s what we’re here to do.”
For more information, click here: https://keyshh.org/