OrlANDO, Fla. — There are thousands of homeless people in the area that will still be without shelter this new year.

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But thanks to a program at the Christian Service Center in Parramore, dozens will now have a place to call home.

Kenny Fernandez of Orlando was behind bars for several years and homeless.

“When I ran out of honest money that I earned, I went and stole money from (a) business,” Fernandez said.

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In 2020, he was a free man with no shelter in sight.

Thanks to the homeless elimination program at the Christian Services Center, his life was changed.

“I’ve taken so much from this community, I want to be able to give back in a positive way,” Fernandez said.

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He landed a job at the Christian Services Center. Now, as of Dec. 1, he has a place to call home.

The center exceeded its goals of housing 69 individuals and families. This year, the program housed 75 of the area’s homeless.

Most of those that were able to secure housing were veterans and those severely disabled.

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Video: Parramore residents complain about crowds blocking streets An Orlando pastor said there is a constant, unwanted, large gathering in Parramore in the center of the nationally registered historic district. (Karen Parks, WFTV.com)

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