ORLANDO, Fla. — Karen Vigoreaux says she’s been homeless for six months, but things are finally looking up.
She’s one of many who’s being helped by the Christian Services Center. Next week, the Orlando City Council will decide whether to give the organization a new contract tasking it with overseeing a new rapid rehousing program with the city.
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The new effort’s goal is to get people off the streets and out of tents in Parramore. The plan would use about $600,000 in federal funding.
The funding will mostly go toward paying to put people into hotels and apartments. And the city’s hoping it could help 20 to 50 people.
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“Is it going to solve everything? No, but it is a very significant step forward because of the collaborative nature of the project,” said Eric Gray, executive director of Christian Services Center Central Florida
The goal is to help people who are working to get back on their feet and clean up the growing tents in Parramore. It would prioritize women, people with disabilities and seniors.
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“Using these dollars we will be able to pay their rent for 6 months to even 12 months as a means of stabilizing them,” said Lisa Portelli, senior advisor to Mayor Buddy Dyer for homelessness and social services.
The effort will bring together city code enforcement, Orlando police, and a network of homeless services agencies on at least 18 scheduled outreach days over the next year.
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