ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Central Florida Continuum of Care (COC-507) has received just over $12 million in homelessness funding, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Monday.
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The funding represents a 30% increase as part of HUD’s annual funding competition and is an increase of nearly $3 million from last year’s funding, according to a news release.
The money will be used to expand services and housing for chronically homeless people as well as victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, the news release states.
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The Central Florida Continuum of Care includes Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties and the cities of Orlando, Sanford and Kissimmee.
“This timing of this award is critical, as COVID funds start to expire and our community members continue to struggle as a result of the pandemic,” Martha Are, CEO of Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, the lead agency of COC-507, said in the news release. “These funds will provide an opportunity to serve more individuals experiencing homelessness, expand our partnerships, and build more capacity in the region.”
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The COC’s 2021 fiscal year included more than $2.6 billion in funding for local homeless housing and service programs across the United States. Florida received $114 million for 328 projects.
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