APOPKA, Fla. — Apopka city leaders are once again working to find solutions to homelessness in the city. Leaders from across Central Florida, including shelter managers, ministries, elected officials, and others, held a roundtable discussion Tuesday night to help find resources for those facing homelessness.
Leaders shared ideas about what’s working, what’s not working, and what are the next steps to find help for the homeless population.
What You Need To Know
- On a single night in January 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Development estimated over half a million people were experiencing homelessness nationwide
- Apopka leaders have made attempts to address the homeless population, including a proposal for an affordable housing complex
- Community activists are brainstorming other solutions, including those that provide a support system and not just a place to live
Finite numbers on homelessness are difficult to come by, as getting a firm headcount on a homeless population is all but impossible. But the Florida Department of Health estimates there were over 21,000 people living on the streets in 2021 in the Sunshine State. Data shows the majority of the homeless population are around major metropolitan areas like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.
Because Apopka does not have their own homeless shelter, they have to refer people to the nearest one in Orlando. However, Orlando city leaders are already overwhelmed by the number of homeless people needing support in the area.
Back in May, the CEO of Orlando’s Homeless Services Network estimated their homeless population was up 38% from last year.
The city of Apopka has worked to find solutions for their homeless population, including affordable housing. City leaders proposed building one complex near the city center.
However, experts who were part of a discussion on homelessness in Apopka Tuesday night, said people don’t just need a cheaper place to live, many need a support system.
“Mental illness, addiction, and all these things have a part to play,” said Wilfredo Montalvo, outreach pastor with SALT, Service and Live Together. “But the biggest reason why someone’s facing homelessness is they don’t have anyone supporting them anymore. A support system is one of the biggest things. I’ve got people who are addicts in my family. I’ve got people who are suffering from mental illness in my family. They’re not homeless, though. They’re not experiencing that. Why? Because they have support still.”
Montalvo said his organization prefers to say people are homebound rather than homeless. Because, given the right support, people are bound to come home to a place to call their own.