Nothing’s etched in stone yet, but the Orange County mayor’s office tells WESH 2 News that a nearly 4-acre hotel could be repurposed into a couple of options, including transitional housing for the homeless. “I had an apartment. I lost it Feb. 24,” Ronnie Thomas said. But Ronnie Thomas of Orlando is still hopeful. Plus, the possibility of this hotel being transformed into transitional housing for the homeless gives him even higher hopes. “I think it’s a great idea because I’m into transition, doing that now, going through what I’m going through to get my car, because it’s compromised. I’m going through that because I’m blind, 100% legally blind, and I’m homeless,” he added. Last month, Orange County commissioners voted to spend $13 million to buy a newly renovated 200-room hotel next door to the Orange County Jail on John Young Parkway.According to a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, Mayor Jerry Demings says this hotel could be many things, including transitional housing for the homeless, or offices. “This is a strategically advantageous purchase for Orange County due to its location and proximity to other county facilities,” the spokesperson went on to say. Eric Gray is executive director for the Christian Service Center for the Homeless. “I think in the tourism capital of the country, the idea of using hotel spaces that aren’t necessarily being used effectively for other community needs is brilliant. That is exactly what we should do in a community like ours,” Gray said. “The need is surreal in the country right now. We’re at the highest per-capita rate for homelessness that we’ve seen since the Great Depression.” He said that on any given night in Orlando and Orange County, there’s about 1,500 adults and children either on the streets or staying in a shelter, not including people living in their cars or hotels. “So, every time we can add a space for somebody to stay more than just a night or two, that’s one more person we get off the street and setting them up, so they’re not back on the street again,” he said. Gloria Rolon is homeless but has had jobs in retail sales. “I think it would be great for somebody in my position or a lot of people’s positions,” she said. Transitional housing would provide temporary homes and services to help families and individuals move toward permanent housing. Again, nothing’s final right now.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —

Nothing’s etched in stone yet, but the Orange County mayor’s office tells WESH 2 News that a nearly 4-acre hotel could be repurposed into a couple of options, including transitional housing for the homeless.

“I had an apartment. I lost it Feb. 24,” Ronnie Thomas said.

But Ronnie Thomas of Orlando is still hopeful. Plus, the possibility of this hotel being transformed into transitional housing for the homeless gives him even higher hopes.

“I think it’s a great idea because I’m into transition, doing that now, going through what I’m going through to get my car, because it’s compromised. I’m going through that because I’m blind, 100% legally blind, and I’m homeless,” he added.

Last month, Orange County commissioners voted to spend $13 million to buy a newly renovated 200-room hotel next door to the Orange County Jail on John Young Parkway.

According to a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, Mayor Jerry Demings says this hotel could be many things, including transitional housing for the homeless, or offices.

“This is a strategically advantageous purchase for Orange County due to its location and proximity to other county facilities,” the spokesperson went on to say.

Eric Gray is executive director for the Christian Service Center for the Homeless.

“I think in the tourism capital of the country, the idea of using hotel spaces that aren’t necessarily being used effectively for other community needs is brilliant. That is exactly what we should do in a community like ours,” Gray said. “The need is surreal in the country right now. We’re at the highest per-capita rate for homelessness that we’ve seen since the Great Depression.”

He said that on any given night in Orlando and Orange County, there’s about 1,500 adults and children either on the streets or staying in a shelter, not including people living in their cars or hotels.

“So, every time we can add a space for somebody to stay more than just a night or two, that’s one more person we get off the street and setting them up, so they’re not back on the street again,” he said.

Gloria Rolon is homeless but has had jobs in retail sales.

“I think it would be great for somebody in my position or a lot of people’s positions,” she said.

Transitional housing would provide temporary homes and services to help families and individuals move toward permanent housing. Again, nothing’s final right now.