The Problem

Learn more about the issue of homelessness and how it affects individuals, families, and our community.

Homelessness:
A Community Crisis

There are only 13 affordable rental units available for every 100 low-income households in the United States.

 The 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count found 2,724 homeless individuals on a single night in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

Earning minimum wage ($14 per hour), a single person needs to work 90 hours each week to afford a one-bedroom rental in Florida.

The Impact of Homelessness

Homelessness is an incredibly complex issue that impacts both those experiencing homelessness and the entire community.

View the questions and answers below to learn more.

  • How many homeless people are there in Central Florida?

    The 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count found 2,724 homeless men, women, and children on a single night in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. The count includes anyone staying in a homeless shelter, as well as those sleeping in the woods, in their cars or on the streets. However, this count does not include those who were not found on the night of the count, doubled up with relatives/friends or living in a motel until their money runs out.


    According to Orange County Public Schools, 8,830 students experienced homelessness during the 2024-2025 school year.

  • What are the main contributors to homelessness?

    Loss of income, low wages or unemployment: Any disruption for low-income families – unexpected illness and medical expenses, unemployment, divorce, loss of transportation, etc. – can create a financial crisis that results in loss of housing.


    Lack of affordable housing: The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Orlando is $2,300, putting it out of reach for many working poor. A couple who are both employed full-time at minimum wage ($13 per hour) can face significant hardship, preventing them from meeting their other basic needs, such as nutrition and health care, or saving for their future. 


    Domestic violence: Survivors may be forced to leave home quickly, often with little more than what they can carry. In 2025, 58% of unmet requests from domestic violence survivors were for housing-related needs, including emergency shelter, hotels/motels, and transitional housing. (Source)


    Substance abuse or mental illness: A common stereotype of the homeless population is that they are all alcoholics or drug abusers. The truth is that a high percentage of homeless people do struggle with substance abuse — but it is both a cause and a result of homelessness, often arising after people lose their housing. For many homeless individuals, substance abuse co-occurs with mental illness as a way to self-medicate.


    Aging out of foster care: Youth who age out of foster care face a higher risk of homelessness as they transition into adulthood. Without stable family support, affordable housing, steady income, or access to needed services, many young people struggle to build independence. 44% of youth with foster care involvement reported experiencing homelessness by age 21. (Source)

  • How does homelessness impact an individual?

    The effects of homelessness on men, women, and children are vast. Homeless individuals may experience an increased risk of many physical and mental issues, such as:


    • Poor physical health
    • Nutritional deficiencies
    • Sleep deprivation
    • Mental Illness
    • Physical and sexual assault
    • Drug dependency
    • Premature death
    • Loss of self-value
    • Increased chance of entering the criminal justice system
    • Development of behavioral problems

  • How does homelessness impact the community?

    According to the Economic Impact Report released by the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness, the average cost per day for a chronically homeless individual living on the streets, including incarceration and hospital stays, is $84.93 per day — over $30,000 per year.


    However, $26.59 per day (FYE 2018) is the cost of an individual staying at the Coalition while awaiting housing. This adds up to just over $9,700 per year.

Featured Story

Dawn & Miracle

Dawn, along with her two-year-old daughter, was evicted from her apartment after discovering her roommate was stealing her portion of the rent, rather than paying the landlord.

"We didn't have anywhere to go. I tried to keep Miracle as comfortable as I could in the backseat of the car. Honestly, the only thing I knew to do was pray that there was something out there that could help us."

Luckily, Dawn called the Coalition and was welcomed into our Rapid ReHousing Program, where she met her Housing Manager, Brenda.

Brenda says, "While my clients are with me, we work on making budgets and creating goals for the future." Another key aspect of Brenda's role is to build relationships with property managers and landlords.

"A lot of the families come to me with past evictions or things in their background that can cause some roadblocks," Branda explains. "To get through that barrier, I assure the landlords that my clients will have me by their side supporting them. I also make it a point to thank them because without them giving these families a second chance, they would have nowhere to go."

Within a month of becoming homeless and living in their car, Brenda handed Dawn the keys to her new apartment.

"I'm thankful that the Coalition has programs that can help families like mine. We are truly blessed beyond our measure," Dawn says.