CENTRAL FLORIDA — Florida Hospital has pledged $6 million to help fight homelessness in central Florida.
The hospital and local leaders made the announcement Tuesday morning. They are embracing a concept called the Housing First model, which took more than half of Houston's homeless population off the streets.
"If Houston can do it, I know we can do it," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
The money will help get the chronically homeless off the street, and to help them get the healthcare they need before they're forced to show up in emergency rooms.
Katherine Heyward said she used to be homeless but is now renting a room and was able to get a job.
"You're constantly cold, constantly wondering am I going to be alright, am I going to be arrested and my kids taken because you're out on the street,' said Heyward.
Florida Hospital's $6 million is hoped to be the first donation of many into a new fund that will change the way central Florida is caring for the homeless.
Instead of focusing on treatment, the first goal is to find housing for the chronically homeless, many of whom are veterans.
"No person who served this country should get wet when it rains at night or shiver in the cold on Christmas," said Florida Hospital CEO Lars Houmann.
The Commission on Homelessness said it plans to use both existing apartments and construct a new building to help house the homeless.
WFTV
