SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Leaders in Seminole County say a growing number of people live in cars and on the streets, and only about 200 shelter beds are available countywide.
The four homeless shelters are struggling to keep up with the demand, so the county plans to give them more money to get results.
Carrie Longsworth, the manager of the Community Assistance Division, recently presented county commissioners with a plan to increase their budget from $842,000 to $1 million. And, instead of shelters and non-profits competing for one pot of money, they will automatically allocate a third of the funding to homeless shelters.
That money would be awarded annually based on the number of filled beds at each of the four shelters in the county. Once the commission finalizes the budget in the fall, it will guarantee those shelters receive this funding:
- Rescue Outreach Mission: 62% of beds, up to $206,460
- SafeHouse of Seminole: 26% of beds, up to $86,580
- Recovery House: 6% of beds, up to $19,980
- BoysTown: 6% of beds, up to $19,980
Longsworth presented the changes to county commissioners, along with results from a recent needs assessment. It showed the top priorities in the county were childcare, mental health services and homeless services. The results also showed that the top housing needs included rental assistance, housing for homeless families, and homeless shelters and transitional housing.
“We are receiving a lot of rent calls,” said Longsworth. “Where we were paying rents before that were $1,100-$1,200, those rents are now coming in now at $2,300-$2,400.”
Chris Ham, the executive director of the Rescue Outreach Mission, says their facility has 115 beds and most nights they are full or overflowing.
“We’re seeing everything. Families with children. We have 26 children here tonight,” said Ham.
Ham says the shelter’s monthly cost is about $100,000 to make payroll, pay insurance bills, utilities, etc. He says the extra money from the county will help them keep the lights on.
“What it really helps us to do is treat every guest, as we call them, that comes through our doors with respect, compassion, and dignity,” said Ham.
The $206,460 they hope to receive after the budget is finalized in October will be a huge help, but Ham acknowledges it’s still not enough.
“We’re just grateful to our county commission. We’re grateful to the Community Service Agency in Seminole County for their partnership and their continued partnership, but we can continue to do more,” said Ham. “No one deserves, should be sleeping on the streets of Seminole county.”
The most recent estimate in 2023 counted a total of 2,258 people experiencing homelessness in Central Florida, 38% more than the previous year.
“When you think about $300,000 being allocated to homeless shelters, it’s just such a drop in the bucket considering the need,” said Commissioner Amy Lockhart.
News 6 asked the county what is working as they address this problem. Ham said the Rescue Outreach Mission has helped 83 people move into permanent housing so far this year. Last year they helped more than 220.
Longworth says the assistance the county is providing has stopped the gap for some people, but people are still slipping through the cracks because the need is so great.
“The county can only assist a certain amount because obviously there’s only so much funding to go around,” said Longworth. “Our hope is going from the $842,000 to the $1 million, if it gets approved, will help a little bit, but obviously there’s still a need out there the agencies are seeing.”
Ham says people need to work together to find solutions.
“At the end of our day our funding really needs to come from local governments, not just the county, hopefully the seven municipalities, along with individuals, our faith partners, and the business community,” said Ham. “It really needs to be a partnership with everyone working together to help those neighbors in need.”
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: