ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando City Council gave their stamp of approval on an interlocal agreement by a vote of 5-2 on Monday.

It, in part, stops the land annexation request from Deseret Ranches, affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

It’s an agreement approved by Orange County Commissioners last week, but some Orlando residents have mixed feelings about a separate part of the agreement that sees the county leasing part of its Work Release Center on Kaley Street to the city.

Orlando would use it as a 24-hour-a day/seven-day-per week low-barrier homeless shelter at the rate of $1 per year for seven years.

“There hasn’t been any engagement with SoDo residents,” said resident Caroline Wieland. “Like, ‘how are you feeling about this population popping up in your backyard?’ It feels very fast, and that’s everyone’s big concern is something that could fundamentally change the fabric and the feeling of our community.”

Her husband, Billy Wieland, said that the current proposed location wasn't initially on a list released by officials. 

“They came out with a list of 23 different sites just a few months ago, and this was not on this list,” Wieland said.

Billy and Caroline Wieland would like the planned homeless shelter to be moved. (Spectrum News)

Homeless Services Network Chief Executive Officer Martha Are said the facility is badly needed in Orange County.

Around 700 people are without housing nightly, and Are said she believes the new shelter would remove the homeless out of nearby neighborhoods.

“So, our goal is to get people outside, inside. Get them the assistance they need so they can move in permanent housing,” Are said.

Are says that 75% of the people that are homeless right now are experiencing homelessness for the first time, and the majority are without a place to live because of high rents in the area.

It’s still unknown how many beds the shelter would provide, but Are said she believes it will be 200-300.

A couple of city commissioners tried relieving concerns of residents, ensuring them the homeless shelter will be run smoothly.

“I agree with a lot of what the speakers have said. There is a lot of homeless population there. You can’t have it both ways. Let’s let people flop all over the sidewalk and we don’t want to see them, but we don’t have a place to house them either,” District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan said.

Mayor Buddy Dyer said the homeless shelter is still in the very early stages and will include many more community meetings to come.