Displaced Residents Highlight Human Impact of Central Florida Homelessness Crisis

As Central Florida continues to experience a growing homelessness crisis, individuals directly affected by displacement are urging for solutions centered on dignity and support.

Neil Waldron, who lost his home during Hurricane Ian in 2022, refers to himself as “displaced from housing,” emphasizing the importance of language in shaping public perception. “Words are things that matter,” Waldron said. “I say, ‘displaced from your housing.’ The words that you use have an effect on you.”

Data from the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) count conducted by the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida found that 2,781 individuals were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Of those, 1,090 were unsheltered — staying in places not meant for human habitation such as streets, vehicles, or wooded areas.

Waldron says he's now come to a point to where he understands where he's at in life.

"And you find yourself you can you can be we're all in along in life. And then all of a sudden, one event can change the entire trajectory of your life. Now, I'm not bitter about it," said Waldron.

Health professionals working with the homeless population say they are seeing serious health implications. Pia Valvassori, lead clinician at a Christian homeless shelter in the region, said that many of her patients face worsening chronic conditions as a result of their living situations. “Sleeping unsheltered, being exposed to the elements, and experiencing an inordinate amount of stress can further exacerbate their mental health,” Valvassori said.

Recent legislation banning public camping and sleeping has presented additional barriers, according to outreach workers and shelter staff. They report increased difficulty locating unsheltered individuals and a growing reluctance among them to engage with support services.

"Oftentimes they're just trying to figure out where they're going to get their next meal or shower. And that's what makes the site that they work, that we're working at here so appealing because they can address all of those issues in one place," said Valvassori.

Despite these challenges, efforts to address the issue have seen some results. According to the Homeless Services Network, more than 5,000 people in Central Florida transitioned from homelessness into stable housing in 2024.

Waldron believes that faith-based and nonprofit organizations play a key role in supporting those experiencing homelessness. “Empower the nonprofit, the faith-based institutions that have a model and a vision statement of dealing with homelessness,” he said.

The Homeless Services Network and affiliated organizations continue to advocate for expanded access to affordable housing and comprehensive support services, pointing to the persistent gap between housing availability and the number of people in need.