A newly released report from the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida offers a sobering look at homelessness in the region, revealing that over 40% of those without stable housing are either children or senior citizens. The findings come from the first Point-in-Time (PIT) count conducted since Florida enacted a law prohibiting public camping.
The PIT count, conducted on January 27, 2025, surveyed individuals experiencing homelessness across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. In total, 2,781 people were found to be without permanent housing, including 1,090 individuals living unsheltered — sleeping on the streets, in wooded areas, or in their vehicles.
The results underline a disturbing trend in Central Florida, where an increasing number of school-aged children are being affected. Local school districts are seeing a spike in students living in unstable conditions such as cars, public parks, abandoned buildings, or crowded housing situations. Orange County Public Schools alone identified over 8,100 students as homeless, a number that includes those residing in hotels or doubled-up with relatives or other families…