ORLANDO, Fla. — The fight against homelessness in Central Florida is getting a boost from the federal government. The Department of Housing and Development is expected to send more than $8 million to help end youth homelessness.

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Housing and Development is expected to send more than $8 million to help end youth homelessness

  • At least 250 people ages 18 to 24 are estimated to be homeless on any given night in central Florida

  • The CEO of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, said addressing homelessness at a younger age will hopefully allow them to stay off the streets later in life

“I slept on the ground pregnant. It didn’t feel good at all,” explained Maurisha Downey.

Downey was born and raised in Orlando, and at the age of 21, she left home and ended up jumping from place to place and even lived on the streets at times.

“I was like 19, I was young, I was staying with my dad,” added Downey. “He was telling me to sit still. There was nothing out there in the world. I didn’t listen.”

Downey was able to get an apartment and get off the streets. However, she believes part of the problem with getting people off the street is the cost of things.

“The reason why most of us is homeless if you think about it now, is not just because of the drugs or the alcohol. I’m going to be real with you it is because of the rent,” said Downey.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that $8.3 million would be given to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. According to the organization, at least 250 people ages 18 to 24 are estimated to be homeless on any given night in Central Florida. 

Martha Are, the CEO of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, said addressing homelessness at a younger age will hopefully allow them to stay off the streets later in life. 

“This is a huge way to help reduce the number of people that might experience homelessness in the future by making sure we are helping them stabilize now,” explained Are.

Are said they are working with other organizations and homeless youth to create a plan over the next six months for how to use the grant.

Downey hopes more young people won’t have to experience what she’s gone through.

“Things happen for a reason, and that is why we all going through this every day because this is actually pushing us to want to be better,” explained Downey.

Are is excited about the people they will be able to help and the organizations that the grant will positively impact.