ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, putting many out of work, the number of people looking for shelter has skyrocketed.
A program in Orange County is offering alternatives to a stay in the shelter.
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HELP AVAILABLE FOR ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS! Are you or someone you know at #risk of #homelessness due to the ongoing...
Posted by Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida on Wednesday, October 7, 2020
With a $400,000 annual grant from the county, the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida was able to create a diversion program - the first of its kind- to ensure that the shelter is able to serve those most in need.
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“Really the premise behind it is to help folks identify areas that they may be able to pursue that would prevent them from needing to come to the shelter,” said Allison Krall with the Coalition for the Homeless.
Those alternatives include low-cost room rentals, and transportation to get there.
“If a barrier for them is food, we can help with food. If a barrier for them is childcare, we can offer assistance for childcare for a period of time,” Krall adds.
The coalition has also offered financial assistance for those facing evictions.
Since June, they have helped more than 100 households in Orlando.
Cox Media Group
