ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 Nearly 2,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Orange County, according to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida.<\/p>\n
That represents a 3% increase from last year. Orange County Commissioner Kelly Martinez-Semrad said the actual number is likely much higher, pointing to people living in tent communities throughout the county.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople think that they\u2019re not doing their part to get out of the situation, that they\u2019re full-time employed,\u201d Martinez-Semrad said. \u201cThey just don\u2019t make enough money to pay rent in Orange County.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martinez-Semrad said the problem is driven by the gap between wages and housing costs. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is about $2,300, she said.<\/p>\n
Florida\u2019s anti-camping law prohibits cities and counties from allowing people to sleep on public property. Martinez-Semrad said that has pushed some people experiencing homelessness farther into wooded areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see that people who are experiencing homelessness are moving further and further into the woods,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Orange County works with local organizations to provide shelter and support services, but Martinez-Semrad said additional funding is needed to maintain those programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery opportunity that we have to put money into solving this problem, we do,\u201d she said. \u201cBut beyond that, we provide services. We get the wraparound services that are needed. There are so many programs that we\u2019re trying to do and to keep funded.\u201d<\/p>\n
County commissioners also approved the renewal of contracts Wednesday between two local nonprofit organizations and the county\u2019s Mental Health and Homelessness Division.<\/p>\n
The contracts fund services for people facing eviction or experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
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