The bus won\u2019t make a big dent in the county\u2019s estimated 2,000-plus homeless population \u2014 with hundreds in Apopka alone. But the city\u2019s participation is significant because local leaders have tried, and mostly failed, to create new shelter space. The issue became more acute after a state ban<\/a> on overnight camping in public places took effect last year \u2014 something Billue and others call an attempt to criminalize homelessness.<\/p>\n The bus will have capacity to sleep 20 people while offering them access during the day to case management and other services provided by the organization with goals of moving them toward lives of independence and self-sufficiency.<\/p>\n \u201cMy feelings are I\u2019m here to help you help yourself,\u201d Billue said. \u201cWe can\u2019t do it for you, we can\u2019t want it more than you.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the other side of it is, if you are physically or mentally incapable of caring for yourself, we then want to do what we can to improve your quality of life.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the county\u2019s financial backing, along with Apopka\u2019s commitment to host the bus, should help convince others \u2014 such as churches, towns and cities \u2014 to provide overnight parking spots: \u201cNobody likes to be first.\u201d<\/p>\n And although using buses can help to overcome the neighborhood opposition common with permanent shelters, Billue said finding locations to park them temporarily remains challenging \u2014 the Brevard program has four so far. He\u2019d like at least three more Apopka sites along with others throughout the western part of the county.<\/p>\n County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who represents District 1 where Matthew\u2019s Hope is located, said she\u2019s pushing for a change to county zoning laws to allow for parking of buses and other mobile structures supporting homeless shelters and transitional service providers. Although she\u2019s uncertain how long the process will take, she\u2019s optimistic it\u2019ll get done.<\/p>\n \u201cI would hesitate to assert that we are going to able to zoom anything through, but I feel pretty strongly that with the investment that we\u2019ve made that we were in full agreement on in regards to homeless services, that there shouldn\u2019t be disagreement,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n Just like those serving Brevard, Billue said Orange\u2019s\u00a0bus will have individual sleeping areas called pods \u2014 walled on three sides with a privacy curtain along the aisleway \u2014 each with the ability to adjust air conditioning, a cellphone charging station and a pocket to hold some personal items. Additional belongings will be stored in an air-conditioned area underneath which will have specialized crates for pets.<\/p>\n Billue said once the bus is up and running, people can make reservations for up to three consecutive nights through Matthew\u2019s Hope \u2014 an app is in development. The bus will pick up people at designated locations then head to the parking spot.\u00a0It will typically spend three nights at one location before moving to another.<\/p>\n Cameras and trained security guards monitor occupants and the bus is cleaned and bed linens changed daily, he said. Anyone allowed on will have had a background check all Matthew\u2019s Hope clients go through \u2014 those convicted of sexual or violent offenses are prohibited.<\/p>\n The county expects the bus to serve an average of 200 homeless individuals monthly. Additionally, Matthew\u2019s Hope will offer bus guests access to daytime services at its Winter Garden location including case management, showers, hygiene items, a food pantry and ongoing medical care.<\/p>\n The Apopka City Council in June unanimously adopted an agreement<\/a> allowing Matthew\u2019s Hope to park the bus at rotating locations in the city. Commissioners have only\u00a0approved one so far \u2014 behind the city\u2019s compressed natural gas facility at 320 E. 8th St.<\/p>\n![\"Scott](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0664.jpg\")
Scott Billue is founder and CEO of the nonprofit Matthew’s Hope, which has locations in Winter Garden and Cocoa. (Provided by Scott Billue)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_7413.jpg\")
A pod on one of the sleeper buses in use by the nonprofit Matthew’s Hope in Brevard County. A bus planned for use in Orange County will have the same sleeping accommodations. (Courtesy of Matthew’s Hope)<\/p>\n