Homeless Services Network of Central Florida

Today our hearts go out to the 49 angels, to their devastated families and loved ones, to the survivors of an unimaginable horror, and to the first responders whose heroic actions saved many lives on Orlando's darkest night. May we never forget them -- and may we never stop working to build a community where love is stronger than hate.

Last week our team led presentations at the Central Florida Homeless Education Summit hosted by Orange County Public Schools. They taught -- and they learned -- how to best help students struggling with . The more we can do to help young people, the better chance they have of changing the trajectory of their lives. Thank you, OCPS, for making this possible!

If you are working or receive SSI, PadSplit may be a good option for finding an affordable place to live:
-- Rent includes a furnished room, all utilities and WiFi
-- A more affordable weekly payment compared to more traditional rental options
-- No minimum credit score required
-- A one-time membership fee of $19 that covers all applications
-- A flexible length-of-stay
-- One free transfer to a different home if the current living situation is not suitable
Note: Income is required, and people with a sexual offense background are not eligible to apply.

PadSplit: Affordable Rooms for Rent, Homes, Weekly Rentals & More PadSplit offers clean, modern furnished rooms for rent to community members at an affordable weekly fee, including utilities, WiFi, laundry access, 24/7 telemedicine service and more. See available homes today.

The federal government's new plan on came out this week. Here's a pretty thorough look at what's in it...

Pushing Treatment, Trump Administration Limits Housing Aid for Homeless (Gift Article) Congress and a court blocked a previous effort to revamp homeless programs. Even a scaled-back version marks the sharpest change in homelessness policy in a generation.

When you give your hard-earned dollars to a charity, you want to know that you can trust how those dollars are being spent. We're proud to say we've earned a 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level possible! See what your donations help us accomplish: https://app.candid.org/profile/7944762/homeless-services-network-of-central-florida-inc/?pkId=7b227a96-8b67-47f8-a3d3-be14032269ca&isActive=true

Attention: Veterans -- This Saturday, you can learn about benefits and resources specifically for those who have served our country. Scan the QR code or register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veteran-wellness-resource-fair-tickets-1986238117678?aff=oddtdtcreator

"You will find that actually all of our hardest problems are solvable, and that we are actually the ones to solve them."
-- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, talking about a 64% drop in street homelessness over the past three years.
What happens in Denver doesn't have to stay in Denver!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYmx-9FE-hk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

For the first time in nearly ten years, overall homelessness is down in @therealcityofdenver. This is a historic milestone — and one made possible by city employees, partners, providers, advocates, and Denverites who believe everyone deserves the safety and dignity of a place to call home. Behind these numbers are real people whose stories are defined not by hardship, but by resilience, strength, and the opportunity for a new beginning. 🎥: @denvermayor @mikejohnstonco

How many people are homeless in Central Florida and who is most likely to have to live on our streets? This week we released the results of the annual Point-in-Time Count, which had both sobering and hopeful results. Here's the coverage from VoxPopuli...

Women, seniors among those hit hardest by homelessness, annual survey says | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL "It is dangerous to be a woman outside, especially for more than a year," says Homeless Services Network's Martha Are.

"Once again, Orlando has found itself in a harsh spotlight, ranking as the worst metro region in America for affordable housing." Read the latest from columnist .maxwell.946179 to discover what led to our dismal status and find some glimmers of hope...

Maxwell: Orlando and Vegas lead nation’s housing shortage. Let’s fix that. Maxwell: The latest report shows Orlando and Las Vegas tied for the worst shortage of affordable housing in America. A few groups are pushing for solutions. They deserve support.

Coming Thursday, May 14: free services for veterans...