WELCOME HOME
About us
We work to provide stable, long-term housing to people experiencing homelessness. Our primary focus is on veterans, youth, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and families with minor children.Over the past year, we have helped to house more than 3,200 homeless men, women and children in Central Florida. That’s the good news. But today there are still at least 2,350 individuals in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties living in emergency homeless shelters, in their cars, in the woods or on the streets. Nearly a third of them are under age 18. Sadly, there are not enough available housing units for all those who need them. With your help, we can do more. 
Awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling
This spring, Florida’s governor signed into law the Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping bill, HB 1365, which is expected to dramatically reshape how counties and cities deal with people living in public spaces. Following deep concerns over its impact, local governments are now awaiting the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Johnson v. Grants Pass, slated to be issued by mid-summer.
At its core, the case will determine whether people who have no choice but to live on our streets can be arrested for doing so, even when there is no space available in local homeless shelters.
Youth homelessness
Brighter Days Central Florida, our community initiative to prevent and end homelessness among older teens and young adults, means connecting people ages 16-24 both to housing and the opportunities they need to change the trajectory of their lives. Help can include rental assistance, host homes, diversion support, navigation guides, case workers, and connection to health care, job training and educational programs. To learn more or get involved, click here.
Our Vision
The Homeless Services Network of Central Florida is committed to the belief that everyone needs a safe place to call home.
Our mission is to lead Central Florida’s community-wide effort to help make any experience of homelessness rare and brief. We work alongside dedicated frontline partners — including nonprofit outreach staff, the Department of Veterans Affairs, local shelters, case managers, housing advocates, health-care providers, domestic violence agencies and human trafficking recovery programs.
Make an impact!
There’s no kinder gift than helping someone have a safe, stable place to call home.
THANK YOU!
More than 450 amazing volunteers turned out in late January to help with our annual Point-in-Time Count (the federally required census of people experiencing homelessness). They generously devoted their time and energy to help us distribute food, hygiene kits, clothing and information — all while conducting interviews and recording data. This information helps us and local leaders see year-over-year trends and shapes our response. We’re now analyzing the results and will have the numbers to report in the coming weeks.
Want to know the results of the 2023 Count? Click here.
Housing First
We embrace Housing First — a homeless-assistance approach that prioritizes providing stable, long-term housing to people experiencing homelessness without requiring that they adhere to a particular faith or find a job within a certain time limit. We believe in giving people a safe and restful place from which they can address other challenges, pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life.
Homelessness Facts
Over the last 12 months, 7,106 individuals were homeless. Of those, we have housed 3,811 individuals and placed 4,356 in shelter (some were placed initially in shelters and, later, in housing).
60% were male, 40% female.
52% were black, 44% were white.
The largest age group was 25-49, followed by 50+.
Single adults made up the overwhelming majority of the population.
Support for Landlords & Advocates
We need landlords and property managers to work with us in order to fulfill our mission. You are an essential part of the process -- and you can do good while still earning a return on your investment.
Thank you for an amazing celebration of our 30th anniversary!
We raised much-needed funds for housing, shared some poignant stories, heard from one of the nation’s thought-leaders on homelessness, and named the inaugural recipient of our Thomas C. Chatmon Jr. Community Champion Award…
Click below to find out who won and to see all the photos — plus a special thank-you to our host and our sponsors. We couldn’t have done it without you!
