ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando is no longer moving forward with plans for a new homeless shelter in the city's SoDo district.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando is no longer moving forward with plans for a new homeless shelter in Orlando's SoDo district

  • If approved, the shelter would have been built at a former work-release site along Kaley Avenue

  • Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says the city is working to fund homeless service provider and initiatives to increase affordable housing

The proposal became a controversial topic for residents in the area just south of downtown Orlando, with many putting up lawn signs opposing the idea.

If approved, the shelter would have been built at a former work-release site along Kaley Avenue.

Orange County would have leased the property to the city at the rate of $1 per year for seven years.

In a statement, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said that while the location was determined to not be "feasible," the city is working to fund homeless service providers and initiatives to increase affordable housing.

"We can’t give up. Homelessness can’t just be someone else’s problem," Dyer said in his statement. "It’s not a challenge we can simply push away out of fear. We must address it and offer support to the unsheltered, together."

Programs Dyer highlighted include an ongoing initiative called Accelerate Orlando and a new program, 407 Connect.

Dyer said 407 Connect's goal is to "connect more than 400 people to permanent housing over the next three years through custom-fabricated buses that will provide safe overnight shelter and access to day services for 40 individuals at a time."