SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. —  On Tuesday, Seminole County commissioners voted unanimously to support a resolution by the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness that says it is committed to creating low barrier shelters.

What You Need To Know

  • On Tuesday, Seminole County commissioners voted unanimously to support a resolution by the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness that says they are committed to creating low barrier shelters

  • The move comes after recently released data shows a 61% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the county

  • As for what the next steps are, that’s still uncertain News 13 was told it is being a part of the solution to make sure people experiencing homelessness have a place to call home

The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners voted to support the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness’ plan to create low barrier shelters.

Those are shelters with fewer requirements for those who stay.

As for what the next steps are, that’s still uncertain. What is certain is being a part of the solution is to make sure the homeless have a place to call home. 

Seminole County leaders are joining in support of efforts to address homelessness across Central Florida.

The move comes after recently released data shows a 61% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the county.

That’s according to a recent point-in-time count by the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. It counted 439 people experiencing homelessness during its annual count this past January.

That is compared to 274 from 2023.

Data from the Homeless Services Network shows it is a rising trend it has seen since 2021. 

At the Rescue Outreach Mission of Central Florida, Seminole County’s only homeless emergency shelter, people get three meals a day.

“We provide all of their linen, their sheets, their towels, shampoo, everything that they need while they’re here. We want to remove the barriers, we want them to focus solely on their individual case plans and that’s always looking for permanent housing in our communities,” Chris Ham, executive director for the Rescue Outreach Mission of Central Florida said.  

This year, Ham says they’ve helped more than 100 people transition into permanent housing. 

The organization is also making sure no one gets left behind, which is a top priority.

That’s a message the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida agrees with following Seminole County’s support for the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness’s resolution on low-barrier shelters.

“The resolution is simply saying we’re not going to go for encampments if we have the ability to create anything new, we’re going to put our support behind low barrier shelters or other sleeping accommodations,” Martha Are, CEO of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida said. 

After all, Are says work needs to be done now to help those in need. 

“When a community has more people coming into it but it’s not developing housing, not getting transportation and schools to keep up with that growth, those are the communities that see increase numbers of people experiencing homelessness,” Are said. 

Another challenge is funding. 

Ham says in order for them to keep their doors open, they need support now more than ever.