Homeless Services Network of Central Florida

When you give your hard-earned dollars to a charity, you want to know that you can trust how those dollars are being spent. We're proud to say we've earned a 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level possible! See what your donations help us accomplish: https://app.candid.org/profile/7944762/homeless-services-network-of-central-florida-inc/?pkId=7b227a96-8b67-47f8-a3d3-be14032269ca&isActive=true

Attention: Veterans -- This Saturday, you can learn about benefits and resources specifically for those who have served our country. Scan the QR code or register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/veteran-wellness-resource-fair-tickets-1986238117678?aff=oddtdtcreator

"You will find that actually all of our hardest problems are solvable, and that we are actually the ones to solve them."
-- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, talking about a 64% drop in street homelessness over the past three years.
What happens in Denver doesn't have to stay in Denver!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYmx-9FE-hk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

For the first time in nearly ten years, overall homelessness is down in @therealcityofdenver. This is a historic milestone — and one made possible by city employees, partners, providers, advocates, and Denverites who believe everyone deserves the safety and dignity of a place to call home. Behind these numbers are real people whose stories are defined not by hardship, but by resilience, strength, and the opportunity for a new beginning. 🎥: @denvermayor @mikejohnstonco

How many people are homeless in Central Florida and who is most likely to have to live on our streets? This week we released the results of the annual Point-in-Time Count, which had both sobering and hopeful results. Here's the coverage from VoxPopuli...

Women, seniors among those hit hardest by homelessness, annual survey says | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL "It is dangerous to be a woman outside, especially for more than a year," says Homeless Services Network's Martha Are.

"Once again, Orlando has found itself in a harsh spotlight, ranking as the worst metro region in America for affordable housing." Read the latest from columnist .maxwell.946179 to discover what led to our dismal status and find some glimmers of hope...

Maxwell: Orlando and Vegas lead nation’s housing shortage. Let’s fix that. Maxwell: The latest report shows Orlando and Las Vegas tied for the worst shortage of affordable housing in America. A few groups are pushing for solutions. They deserve support.

Coming Thursday, May 14: free services for veterans...

From the late 1940s until the late 1970s, hardly anyone in this nation lacked a home -- even people at the lowest income levels. So what happened, and what can we do now to address the homelessness crisis? The solution isn't as difficult as you probably expect.
"Returning to a time when homelessness barely existed is not a utopian dream. It was a reality for decades and is within our reach again." -- Alex Horowitz, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Overregulation Helped Drive the Nation’s Surge in Homelessness Homelessness is at a record high today in the U.S. It may feel like an intractable problem, but our own history shows that extremely low rates of homelessness are not only possible, but prevailed here just 50 years ago. The reason? Back then, millions of small, cheap housing units were available, bu...

It's no secret there's a shortage of affordable mental health care in Florida, which ranked 44th of 50 states in a 2025 analysis by Mental Health America when it comes to access to care. One bright spot? The recent opening of a new Outlook Clinic in Sanford by the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. The clinic provides specialized outpatient mental health care at NO COST for people who don't have medical insurance, meet income criteria, and are dealing with anxiety, depression, and/or other mental health challenges. The organization already operates a clinic in Orlando, too. Call 407-898-0110 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.

Yesterday, Orange County Public Schools hosted us at its transportation complex, where we got to learn about the district's efforts to make sure every student gets to and from school safely, including our students experiencing homelessness.
Thanks to Orlando Health for making it possible and Orange County Public Schools for the education!
CF Commission on Homelessness

A new survey of more than 100 U.S. mayors finds broad consensus that housing shortages are real and worsening, with strong support for more multifamily housing and development near public transit. But sharp partisan divides remain over what’s driving the crisis and which policies can actually make housing more affordable. See the research published by Governing.com. https://www.governing.com/urban/what-mayors-have-to-say-about-the-housing-shortage?

What Mayors Have to Say About the Housing Shortage Housing shortages are bipartisan, but a new survey finds parties have different ideas about fixing them.