OSCELOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Hope Partnership Program in Kississimmi has changed the lives of many homeless and low-income people just by assisting them with getting the proper identification.
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Dozens in Osceloa County have remained homeless because they weren’t able to get an ID and paperwork. Getting ID’S would open the doors for them to apply for federal public assistance and a stay at a hotel.
The Hope Partnership Program is breaking barriers for those people that have remained homeless for extended periods of time.
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Harvest Thomas said he was homeless for a total of four years because he didn’t have any identification and couldn’t apply for housing or even a job.
“I feel happy and relieved. Because it’s a lot less stress on me, you know, instead of walking up the streets day in and day out. I can see it a little bit clearer.” Thomas said.
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According to the Homeless Service Network of Central Florida, there are 2,258 unhoused people, which is a five percent increase since last year
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CEO of the Hope Partnership Inc, Reverand Mary Downey, said, “When people are experiencing poverty or homelessness, there is usually no one size fits all solution.”
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