Survey finds many of central Florida's homeless come from other states

ORLANDO, Fla. — Workers and volunteers are attempting to count every homeless person in central Florida, and the results of the survey will help determine how much money central Florida receives to combat homelessness.

Experts said they’re now discovering many of the homeless moved to central Florida from other states, seeking job opportunities that fell through.

Kevin Powers' story is something those who work with the homeless are hearing every day. He said he came to Orlando from Atlanta for a job that didn’t work out.

“I was told it was a good opportunity for work and business. That's not the case,” Powers said.

Now, Powers is on the verge of being on the street.

“I'm living in an office building,” he said. “A gentleman is helping me out. Now, my resources are limited for gasoline and food and lodging. I spend half my time now to budget my money to have enough gas so I can get to the next job interview."

Volunteers are working to find out how each person without a permanent home got into their situation.

“We have begun to see an extraordinary large increase of families with kids from Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa, North Carolina, who come to Orlando with their van, with their children and $1,000 and their assumption is they will find a job,” said Andrae Bailey, executive director of the Community Food and Outreach Center.

The Homeless Services Network is working to help people get back home when the place where dreams come true fails to deliver.

WFTV