ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Central Florida leaders gathered Wednesday to celebrate a major funding milestone and kick off the Foundations Project, a capital initiative led by the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to build a new Center for Women and Families in Orlando.<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings joined Coalition leaders for the announcement.<\/p>\n
The Coalition filed plans in 2024 with the City of Orlando to construct a new 105,000-square-foot facility on its Parramore campus, replacing its current Center for Women and Families. Together, the investments are intended to support construction of a modern, expanded facility and broaden access to critical services for low- to moderate-income families.<\/p>\n
The building design includes additional beds, an on-site integrated health clinic, a modern kitchen and dining hall, and workforce development. It is projected to increase their ability to serve the community by 40 to 50%.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is more than a building, it\u2019s a pathway out of homelessness,\u201d President & CEO The Coalition For the Homeless of Central Florida Brad Butterstein said. <\/p>\n
Congressman Frost secured $3 million for the center through the Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations process.<\/p>\n
\u201cHousing is the great fulcrum of every great society. If you don\u2019t have a stable house, you won\u2019t be able to start that business, do your education, or be in our society,\u201d Frost said.<\/p>\n
Orange County approved an additional $18.5 million, and the City of Orlando is expected to consider a $10 million funding package later this year to support construction.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re moving the needle. It takes a collaboration between government, between the private sector, and the philanthropic sector to take care of the least of those in our community,\u201d Demings said.<\/p>\n