Florida Construction News staff writer
The city of Orlando’s plan to purchase adjoining properties in the Westfield neighborhood to build a new homeless shelter is on hold after councillors faced backlash at a recent meeting from residents opposed to their $7.5 million plan. Funding would come from the Accelerate Orlando budget.
“We want to try to have the area for our kids, and we want them to be able to play to be able to walk around, and we know that this open access center isn’t set up to where they’re looking at the IDs or doing any type of background checks,” local resident Gary Newton said at the meeting. “We’re really trying to get the neighborhood to a certain state,” he said. “We don’t have a problem with the homeless shelters being in the area, we just feel like we have a lot of homeless shelters in the area.”
The City of Orlando wants to spend $7.5 million to build a new shelter designed to accommodate up to 250 individuals around the clock. Advocates say funding will help the city address “the pressing issue” of unsheltered homelessness in the city.
The proposed 21,000-square-foot shelter located at 2140 W. Washington St. and would provide 24/7 accommodations with minimal entry requirements, making it accessible to individuals regardless of their circumstances. Available services will include employment assistance, healthcare, and counseling, all aimed at helping clients secure permanent housing and achieve long-term stability.
So far, Accelerate Orlando funding has gone to:
- Modernizing facilities at the Christian Service Center, Salvation Army, and Coalition for the Homeless to enhance services for unsheltered individuals during the day.
- Revitalizing the Pathways Drop-In Center through Pathlight Home to provide additional space for daytime services for individuals with serious mental illnesses.
- Expanding affordable housing options by converting a blighted hotel into Palm Gardens Orlando Apartments, developing mixed-income housing on Jefferson Street, and building single-family homes in Parramore and Holden Heights.
- Increasing support for low-income residents through expanded down payment assistance, housing counseling, and repair programs.
The proposed Open Access shelter has been called a crucial step in Orlando’s comprehensive strategy to reduce homelessness and improve the quality of life for vulnerable community members. The City Council’s upcoming decision will be pivotal in determining the future of this initiative.