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A yearly homelessness census kicks off in Central Florida
Central Florida Public Media, Jan. 27, 2026 HSN's Brian Postlewait discusses the 2026 PIT count and ongoing housing cost crisis. Martha Are quoted on people hiding due to camping ban. đź”— https://www.cfpublic.org/text/housing-homelessness/2026-01-27/yearly-homelessness-census-central-florida
Jan 27


The 2025 Point-in-Time Count results are IN
During the final week of January, more than 300 volunteers joined us for the 2025 Point-in-Time Count — our annual “census” of Central Floridians who are homeless. The count takes place in communities across the nation at least once every two years, and the data is critical to understanding the scope and trends of homelessness. Most importantly, it helps to guide our local leaders as they make policy and funding decisions. This year — the first since Florida’s statewide ban o
Jul 31, 2025


Proposed HUD cuts could hurt program for Central Florida homeless youth
Spectrum News 13, July 3, 2025 Feature on the Brighter Days Community Initiative and impact of federal funding cuts. đź”— https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/07/03/proposed-funding-cuts-could-impact-local-program-for-homeless-youth
Jul 3, 2025


Vanishing Point: Are Florida's homeless being counted or just pushed out of sight?
Central Florida Public Media / ClickOrlando, May 15–22, 2025 Compares FL-507 and neighboring CoC PIT counts; examines whether the camping ban is driving undercount. 🔗 https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2025-05-22/vanishing-point-are-floridas-homeless-being-counted-or-just-pushed-out-of-sight 🔗 https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/05/15/vanishing-point-are-floridas-homeless-being-counted-or-just-pushed-out-of-sight/
May 22, 2025


Progress Report: Central Florida homelessness 4 months after new state law
Winter Garden Vox Populi, April 17, 2025 Detailed look at post-camping-ban conditions using HSN PIT data; quotes Martha Are. đź”— https://www.wintergardenvox.com/articles/progress-report-central-florida-homelessness-4-months-after-new-state-law
Apr 17, 2025


New Survey: Central Florida lagging in solutions for its homeless
Central Florida Public Media, April 11, 2025 Post-PIT Count analysis on Osceola County's lack of shelter beds, HSN data and Martha Are quotes. đź”— https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2025-04-11/survey-central-florida-lagging-solutions-homeless
Apr 11, 2025


Homelessness count: 40% of Orlando Metro's unhoused people are children, seniors
Central Florida Public Media, April 4, 2025 HSN releases 2025 PIT Count results; 2,781 people counted, 5,000+ housed in 2024. đź”— https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2025-04-04/homeless-count-40-of-orlando-metros-unhoused-people-are-children-seniors
Apr 4, 2025


Central Florida homeless Point-In-Time count numbers released
Spectrum News 13, April 4, 2025 Martha Are announces 2025 PIT results; 24% of homeless population now 55+. đź”— https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/04/04/homeless-point-in-time-count-numbers-to-be-released
Apr 4, 2025
Homeless Service Network of Central Florida awaits crucial federal funding approval
ClickOrlando (WKMG), Feb. 21, 2025 Martha Are discusses $19M in stalled HUD awards amid Trump/DOGE disruptions. đź”— https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/02/21/homeless-service-network-of-central-florida-awaits-crucial-federal-funding-approval/
Feb 21, 2025


Florida's camping ban may affect HUD 2025 homeless point-in-time count
WUSF, Feb. 2, 2025 HSN COO Brian Postlewait explains concerns about undercounting due to HB 1365. đź”— https://www.wusf.org/local-state/2025-02-02/florida-camping-ban-affect-hud-2025-homeless-point-in-time
Feb 2, 2025
How Florida's new homeless camping ban works
Central Florida Public Media, May 20, 2025 Explainer referencing HSN PIT Count data showing 24% Orange County increase from 2023 to 2024. đź”— https://www.cfpublic.org/2025-05-20/how-floridas-new-homeless-camping-ban-works
Jan 26, 2025
Florida law banning sleeping, camping in public now allows people to sue municipalities
Central Florida Public Media, Jan. 1, 2025 Phase 2 of HB 1365 takes effect; HSN attorney Jackie Ebert quoted on legal ambiguity. đź”— https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2025-01-01/florida-law-banning-sleeping-camping-in-public-now-allows-people-to-sue-municipalities
Jan 1, 2025


Nonprofit says around 1,000 people are homeless in Central Florida as 2024 ends
Spectrum News 13, Dec. 31, 2024 Martha Are on surge of seniors and families; HSN spent ~$25M in 2024 on homeless services. đź”— https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2024/12/31/not-much-to-celebrate-as-over-1-000-people-will-be-homeless-in-central-florida-as-many-ring-in-the-new-year
Dec 31, 2024
Nonprofit says around 1,000 people are homeless in Central Florida as 2024 ends
https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2024/12/31/not-much-to-celebrate-as-over-1-000-people-will-be-homeless-in-central-florida-as-many-ring-in-the-new-year
Dec 13, 2024


Thank you for joining us for HOMEWARD 2024!
Our 31st anniversary luncheon, Homeward 2024, was a great success! We sold every ticket available and raised thousands of dollars to help our most vulnerable neighbors. Thanks to all of you who bought tickets — and thanks to our generous sponsors: AdventHealth, Orlando Magic, JPMorgan Chase, Health Care Center for the Homeless, Frontier Technology Inc., Orange County, Cogent Bank, Wells Fargo, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Sunshine Health and Orlando Health. Our 31st
Nov 1, 2024


SALT to temporarily suspend mobile homeless services due to loss in funding
Central Florida Public Media, July 5, 2024 SALT's suspension amid record unsheltered numbers per HSN PIT data; systemic capacity issues. đź”— https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2024-07-05/salt-temporarily-suspend-mobile-homeless-services
Jul 5, 2024


Supreme Court ruling allows arrests of people without shelter
On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban people from sleeping and otherwise surviving in public spaces, even when there is no alternative. This ruling has opened the door to arresting people experiencing homelessness who have nowhere else to go. In Florida, that ruling gave the green light to the state’s “Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping” passed by the 2024 Legislature, which subjects cities and counties to lawsuits if they allow publi
Jun 28, 2024


Unsheltered homeless population doubles in Central Florida's annual count
Central Florida Public Media, June 5, 2024 HSN releases 2024 PIT Count: 2,883 total, 1,201 unsheltered — a 105% increase. Martha Are calls results "tragic." 🔗 https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2024-06-05/unsheltered-homeless-population-doubles-in-central-florida
Jun 5, 2024


HSNCFL celebrates 30 years of helping our most vulnerable residents
On Oct. 27, the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida marked three decades of helping people experiencing homelessness with “HOMEWARD,” an anniversary luncheon featuring one of the nation’s leading authorities on the current crisis. The event featured host Scott Maxwell, former UCF basketball standout Jermaine Taylor, keynote speaker and author Gregg Colburn, and the presentation of the inaugural Thomas C. Chatmon Jr. Community Champion award to our partner Eric Camari
Oct 27, 2023
CEO Martha Are named finalist for “Central Floridian of the Year”
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/02/09/martha-are-is-the-spine-at-homeless-services-network/
Feb 9, 2023
Website tracks homelessness trends in Central Florida. New data helps find solutions
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/01/25/website-tracks-homelessness-trends-in-central-florida-new-data-helps-find-solutions/
Jan 25, 2023
Stretched even thinner:’ Orlando shelter sees fewer volunteers ahead of Christmas weekend
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/12/23/stretched-even-thinner-orlando-shelter-sees-fewer-volunteers-ahead-of-christmas-weekend/
Dec 22, 2022
Orange County warming centers open despite staffing concerns
https://news.yahoo.com/orange-county-warming-centers-open-213643774.html
Dec 22, 2022
9,000 Central Florida students went homeless so far this year, report finds (Orlando Sentinel)
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-ne-homeless-students-central-florida-20221221-dxqvuinc7ncj5j6l2etsuk3lt4-story.html
Dec 21, 2022
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