This story is part of a collaborative initiative of independent local news outlets working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida. This originally appeared on Central Florida Public Media, CFPublic.org.
Orlando received a significant expansion in emergency homeless shelters with the launch Wednesday, Aug. 20, of a duo of buses-turned-shelters providing 42 new beds for the region’s unhoused population.
Building upon the “Dignity Bus” program, the 407 Connect consists of two Greyhound-style buses that were purchased by the city for $350,000 to be reconstructed as sleeping pods. Each bus has 20 double-stacked twin beds — and an additional one that’s adaptable for disabled access — running down the sides…