In Osceola County, especially along West U.S. 192, homeless families living on the streets and in hotels and motels is not a new problem. One Kissimmee man is doing what he can to help as many as he can in that situation, but he knows that local government must act soon if the problem is to be solved.

"We need a solution," said George Valldejuli, founder of the Home For Homeless Foundation in Kissimmee. "We don’t need any more consulting. We don’t need more meetings.”

Valldejuli operates the Liberty Inn Motel and Hostel through his foundation, letting homeless families live at there for an affordable rate.

“We’re getting $20 a day per person, children no pay. The breakfast is free, the laundry is free, the dinner is free and the taxes are paid by the foundation,” said Valldejuli.

Now, Osceola County leaders say they have a new strategy to revitalize U.S. 192 while also assisting the homeless. As part of the budget this year, the Board of the West 192 Redevelopment Authority approved additional code enforcement staff dedicated to the West U.S. 192 area. They also approved increased funding to help homeless families locate traditional, long-term housing.

Valldejuli said he looks forward to the improvements on US 192, a process that could take months or even years, the county says.

But for Rivera, who is homeless now, and for Valldejuli who deals with people in Rivera's situation on a daily basis now, these changes can’t come soon enough.

“Nobody should be in the streets. I was in the streets for 11 years,” said Sonny Rivera, who has been living at Liberty Inn Motel and Hostel for 6 months. "For some of us it’s hard to find a job, a place to sleep.”