WEATHER ALERT
5 things you didn’t know about Central Florida’s homeless population
Read full article: 5 things you didn’t know about Central Florida’s homeless populationThe Homeless Services Network of Central Florida says the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties rose 86% from 2023 to 2024.
New Florida law banning homeless from sleeping in public starts soon. Here are the details
Read full article: New Florida law banning homeless from sleeping in public starts soon. Here are the detailsA controversial law designed to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places soon goes into effect in Florida.
Melbourne removes 3,600 pounds from ‘homeless camp’ under local bridge
Read full article: Melbourne removes 3,600 pounds from ‘homeless camp’ under local bridgeMayor Paul Alfrey announced that the debris had been removed from a “homeless camp” under the Apollo Boulevard bridge near Eau Gallie High School.
Daytona Beach to extend Beach Street security pilot program
Read full article: Daytona Beach to extend Beach Street security pilot programA pilot program to beef up security in downtown Daytona Beach is going to stick around. The city first added security guards in the pilot to its Beach Street after seeing an increase in crime and issues with the homeless.
Orlando group is scaling back basic services for homeless people as funds tighten
Read full article: Orlando group is scaling back basic services for homeless people as funds tightenEric Camarillo with SALT Outreach says the homeless population in Orlando has doubled year over year. Since they started operating at the Christian Service Center in Downtown Orlando in 2020, they’ve received COVID funding from the government, which helped them keep up with the demand. Unfortunately, that is no longer available, leaving them with a $600,000 deficit.
This lakefront home will soon provide hope for homeless women veterans
Read full article: This lakefront home will soon provide hope for homeless women veteransThe 4,000-square-foot home is the latest project being built by Villagers For Veterans. Ashley’s House will be a transition home for women veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Orlando nonprofit planning new development to address affordable housing crisis
Read full article: Orlando nonprofit planning new development to address affordable housing crisisThe Orlando Union Rescue Mission, which is one of Central Florida's largest service providers to the homeless, wants to do something about the housing shortage.
New police initiative hopes to break cycle of homelessness in New Smyrna Beach
Read full article: New police initiative hopes to break cycle of homelessness in New Smyrna BeachIt's the first arrangement of its kind in the state, according to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department: A department pairing an officer with a counselor to go into the woods and visit the homeless regularly, even daily.
Survey shows Orange, Osceola, Seminole counties see overall rise in homelessness
Read full article: Survey shows Orange, Osceola, Seminole counties see overall rise in homelessnessThe Homeless Services Network released its annual Point-in-Time count for 2024 for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties.
New Florida law requires local government-funded homeless camps. Here’s how it works in one city
Read full article: New Florida law requires local government-funded homeless camps. Here’s how it works in one cityThere could be more government-sponsored homeless camps coming to Florida because of a new law that could force some cities and counties to create their own spots like this.
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill banning cities, counties from overlooking ‘public camping’
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill banning cities, counties from overlooking ‘public camping’Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Wednesday morning in Miami Beach, where he signed a bill to ban counties and municipalities from allowing people to sleep on public property.
Hundreds remain displaced after fire at Central Florida homeless shelter
Read full article: Hundreds remain displaced after fire at Central Florida homeless shelterOne week after a fire at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, more than 200 men experiencing homelessness are still displaced.
These 25 U.S. cities have the most homeless people. Only 1 is in Florida
Read full article: These 25 U.S. cities have the most homeless people. Only 1 is in FloridaNew York City ranked at No. 1, and the bulk of the list featured cities from California. However, one Florida city made its way onto the list.
Here’s how Orlando leaders are working to address homelessness
Read full article: Here’s how Orlando leaders are working to address homelessnessCentral Florida is known as a top tourist destination in the world, but if you pull back the curtains and look a little closer, you'll also find one of the worst affordable housing crises in the country.
Orlando roofing company’s workers always ready to help Salvation Army’s outreach programs
Read full article: Orlando roofing company’s workers always ready to help Salvation Army’s outreach programsEvery week, without fail, employees from BFARR Contractors have been volunteering with the Salvation Army’s Brian Smith Urban Outreach project.
More families are facing eviction and going without basic necessities. Here’s how you can help.
Read full article: More families are facing eviction and going without basic necessities. Here’s how you can help.It’s no secret that many people have faced financial struggles over the last few years amid rising costs for simple necessities: groceries, utilities and rent, to name just a few.
Matthew’s Hope homeless center gets results for Central Florida one paycheck at a time
Read full article: Matthew’s Hope homeless center gets results for Central Florida one paycheck at a timeThis week’s Getting Results Award winner told News 6 that he understands the challenges of getting people off the streets, and because of that, he’s put a new spin on homeless outreach.
Orlando partners with nonprofit to help people work out of homelessness, keep city beautiful
Read full article: Orlando partners with nonprofit to help people work out of homelessness, keep city beautifulOrlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined workers cleaning up litter and debris Thursday to highlight a partnership that’s helping people work out of homelessness.
Website tracks homelessness trends in Central Florida. New data helps find solutions
Read full article: Website tracks homelessness trends in Central Florida. New data helps find solutionsCentral Florida volunteers are working to combat homelessness by gathering data that will help allocate federal resources, understand local trends and inform policy change.
Have an affordable housing idea? Seminole County seeking public input
Read full article: Have an affordable housing idea? Seminole County seeking public inputWith approximately $3 million in federal funding administered through the HUD Home American Rescue Plan Act, the county is now asking for the public’s input on best to use the money locally.
VA wants homes for 100 homeless Orlando veterans in ‘Home for the Holidays’ campaign
Read full article: VA wants homes for 100 homeless Orlando veterans in ‘Home for the Holidays’ campaignThe Orlando VA Healthcare System announced its “Home for the Holidays” campaign with the goal of finding housing for 100 homeless veterans across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Brevard counties.
‘Just say no:’ Melbourne mayor says don’t give money to panhandlers
Read full article: ‘Just say no:’ Melbourne mayor says don’t give money to panhandlersHannah Durocher and Briana Revita are continuing to panhandle in the face of homelessness, despite Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey's attempt to stop this practice.
Orlando combats homelessness investing $100,000 to transport people to work
Read full article: Orlando combats homelessness investing $100,000 to transport people to workThe city of Orlando is combatting homelessness by investing more than $100, 000 in funds to a transportation and staffing agency that will help people get to work.
Some California counties winding down hotels for homeless
Read full article: Some California counties winding down hotels for homelessBut counties say that with some federal relief funding expiring soon or its status uncertain, it's time to transition residents from expensive hotel rooms to cheaper, more stable housing. California is one of several states, including Washington, that turned to hotels to shelter homeless people as the virus took hold. The department has said it plans to move homeless people out of all 29 hotels by June. Russ Heimerich, spokesman with the state's Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, says counties have resources to continue housing homeless people in hotels. They say hotel residents have flourished with regular checkups and meals.
Central Florida coalition expects to see uptick in homelessness once eviction moratorium expires
Read full article: Central Florida coalition expects to see uptick in homelessness once eviction moratorium expiresORLANDO, Fla. – A local coalition fighting homelessness in Central Florida is preparing more resources as Gov. DeSantis' order on certain real estate evictions lifts Thursday, meaning more people could potentially face homelessness. There aren’t enough of them for all of the homeless folks in the community,” Krall said. They also provide resources for about 25 children who need a place to connect for online schooling. At the moment, the coalition is taking in individual volunteers but not group volunteers.