orlando, florida – One of the largest providers of homeless services in central Florida warns of “potential disruption” as more people are homeless and looking for shelter.
Allison Krall, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, said:
Krall told News 6 that more than 100 families have contacted her organization looking for accommodation in the past six months.
She said her staff helped six families in the last week alone.
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“It’s kind of a potential disruption given that evictions are already on the rise, the lack of affordable housing in this community, and unprecedented rent increases,” she said. said.
“Landlords are not renewing leases or increasing rents, making it difficult for very low-income seniors and working class people to stay where they are,” says the Volusia Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless. said Jeff White, Executive Director of “[It]means they have to find new housing. There are new homeless households.”
Central Florida rents have increased an average of 14% over the last year, according to a new report from Rent.com.
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The number of eviction applications has increased an average of 119% in central Florida, according to University of Florida and Court Clerk data.
The same data shows that renters aren’t the only ones feeling financial pressure.
Foreclosure court filings have surged 384% in Central Florida since the same time last year.
“I don’t want this on my worst enemy,” said one woman. “People don’t even treat you like a human being.”
A woman who goes by the name Sarah said she never thought a million years later she would still be living and sleeping in a car.
“I lived in this house for 11 years,” she said. “I now spend about $30 a day on gas to keep my car cool.”
She is still looking for another job and career, so she doesn’t want her full name to be used.
Sarah said she lost her bookkeeping career during the pandemic and was evicted.
“People don’t realize that when you’re homeless, there are a lot of doors that are closed, but there aren’t that many doors that are open,” she said. I had no idea.”
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To get results, the Orange County Commissioner last week approved an approximately 10% increase in funding for homeless services and prevention.
News 6 has found that some of the county-supported organizations may still struggle.
The millions of dollars in federal COVID funding these organizations received over the past two years have already expired or will expire at the end of September.
“People are staying home because of federal funding,” Krall said. “It’s the prevention money that’s helping people stay in their homes.”
Sarah is currently looking for that help and a way to get her life back to the way she remembered it.
“I want you to help me find a job,” she said. “Being homeless — people don’t want to hire you.”
The following organizations are eligible for public funding donations:
Coalition for the Homeless in Central Florida
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Volusia-Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless
Central Florida Homeless Service Network
Brevard Homeless Coalition
Mid Florida Homeless Coalition
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