Central Florida’s population of unhoused individuals are affected by not only the challenges that have prevailed for decades, but also new ones that subvert recent progress and lack a humanistic perspective.

Lately, it seems as though the struggle to make ends meet intensifies every day for the average American: Between surging grocery prices and inaccessible health care, legislation is also changing on a daily basis. Understandably, with this collective feeling of unease rampant, it is difficult to remain grounded, let alone inspired to take action.

Although a natural reaction would be to focus on oneself and loved ones during a tumultuous climate, collective societal healing begins with transforming uncomfortable emotions into an impetus for helping others in your community. Collaborative empathy can be a guiding light when facing those tragic scenarios that can happen to anyone at any time.

Consider the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2024 “Out of Reach” report that tracks the affordability of two-bedroom apartment rentals in each state. Not one state has two-bedroom apartments available for rent that are accessible to a person working 40 hours a week at minimum wage. The report’s map documents Florida as the No. 10 highest housing wage, where renting a two-bedroom apartment is only affordable at minimum wage if an individual works 117 hours a week.

Scott Billue, CEO of Matthew’s Hope, founded the nonprofit organization after personal experiences led him to question “why nobody was trying to focus on the causes of homelessness as opposed to the symptoms.”

He shares real-life stories of the people he works with on social media to raise awareness of misconceptions and how means of survival have become akin to a luxury. One of these posts chronicled a single mother who suffered the loss of her husband in an accident, which created a domino effect of continually losing resources in the midst of grief as she persevered to survive.

Billue explains that he’s recently observed a trend in first-time homelessness among earlier generations, especially as women who were not expected to maintain careers lose their husbands and income during such an unaffordable climate. Another common demographic of the unhoused population is disabled individuals who lose their families or caregivers, left to survive with only a disability-based Social Security—if even that, depending on the resources they are able to use; those individuals are also at a high risk of someone taking advantage of them and their limited funds.

As those who work with unhoused individuals can attest to, myths about people who do not have shelter are extremely dangerous, and any preconceived narratives about them should be met with education to develop the fundamental empathy that can ignite change.

“Half of the people experiencing homelessness are living in their cars and not on sidewalks somewhere or in camps in wooded areas—they’re living in cars,” begins Eric Gray, the executive director of Christian Service Center.

He continues: “The population of people experiencing homelessness changes rapidly, and the experience for every person—adult or child—is extremely different. There’s very little consistency amongst them. The most common thread that you can draw between people experiencing homelessness isn’t mental health or addiction, poverty or anything. The most consistent thing is they lack any type of backup plan or support system like family.”

It is detrimental to assume the cause of a person’s situation, especially when those assumptions rely on harmful, erroneous stereotypes. Every situation is unique, but once a person faces severe financial adversity, systemic hurdles make an already steep uphill climb a nearly impossible one.

For instance, it is difficult to do nearly anything without adequate identification, and one cannot obtain an ID without documentation like a birth certificate or Social Security number. If a person does not have an ID or the ability to get one, it is much harder to enroll in school, travel, apply for loans, etc., and if approached by law enforcement, they may ask for it. There lies a cycle of disappointment and grief, as each road block can trigger a devastating inciting event and a feeling of inescapability. Ultimately, those who are experiencing homelessness have to work exponentially harder for resources that are routinely available for others.

Necessities in modern-day America go beyond shelter, food and clothing: Although these resources are certainly an essential part of day-to-day survival, the human experience is complex and ever-evolving in response to material conditions of the times. It is now crucial for people to have internet access, for example, in order to search for support, to connect with family or friends, to educate themselves on their rights, to seek out and maintain a job, and more.

“My hope is to help people understand the difference of Matthew’s Hope … and the difference is that we do a full wrap-around of services to move people toward a life of independence and self-sustainability. In other words, we aren’t just feeding people and giving them some clothing and sending them on their way. We are providing education, medical care and mental health care. We have a hair salon … we have a laundry service [so people can have] fresh clothes, a haircut, a shower,” says Billue. “We’ve helped you get your basic social services … we learn what’s in your toolbox, so to speak, and then give you the additional tools you need to be self-sufficient.”

Unfortunately, to exacerbate the situation, local and national legislation have been passed that contribute to both public misconceptions about and amplified adversity for the unhoused population. This arrives in the wake of cities commonly implementing “hostile architecture,” when urban structures in a public space make sleeping on them impossible or uncomfortable—such as benches with sections that prevent lying down, or spikes incorporated into flat surfaces that could be utilized for rest. One particular Florida Senate bill that went into effect Oct. 2024, HB-1365, prohibits “unauthorized public camping and public sleeping.”

“Camping arrests are significantly up in Central Florida just this last month. … And what I think people might not understand is that when you say the word ‘camping,’ I think most people would envision a tent [or] a sleeping bag on the ground somewhere. But legally, if you or I laid down on a sidewalk anywhere in the city, and we were not obstructing anybody else’s use of that sidewalk—and we didn’t have anything else other than just us in our clothes laying down on the ground—we’re not camping,” explains Gray. “But the moment I take my shoe off and put it under my head as a pillow, I’m now camping. The moment I take my jacket off and turn it into a half blanket, now I’m camping. Any action that looks like you’re trying to spend a longer period of time in that space is considered camping.”

Gray further explains that these nuances are shocking to those learning about this legislation for the first time, and that there are similar distinctions within other laws and rights that people who are precariously housed or currently unsheltered need to know. He remains well-versed on the fluctuating legal landscape to provide the people he assists with protection through knowledge of their rights.

Government entities cannot prohibit panhandling, but they can attempt to regulate it with certain restrictions. Gray explains that in Florida, while people cannot be arrested for asking for money on a road, law enforcement may instead charge them with disorderly conduct for interacting with a running vehicle. He points to a situation he witnessed firsthand when a driver offered a woman with a sign monetary help from his car window, and she encouraged him to throw the money because there was a police vehicle present: If she had walked up to the car, she would have risked arrest.

One thing that people with precarious living conditions are at the highest risk of when it comes to legal confrontation is public urination. Although going to the bathroom is a human right, restrooms in Downtown Orlando are inaccessible publicly, without making a purchase, and at certain hours. This is yet another example of the systemic cycle that makes progress most difficult for people who are already at a disadvantage. They are already at a higher risk of becoming a victim of crime, and yet many are penalized for nonviolent offenses.

As demonstrated by Gray and Billue, there are socially minded advocates dedicated to making progress, and there are organizations designed to improve the lives of those experiencing hardship. While the idea alone instills hope in both humanity and community service, nonprofit organizations require volunteerism and funding to be the change they wish to see.

“I think the No. 1 thing is the importance that nonprofits like Matthew’s Hope play in our community, and that it truly is a community effort. But our community isn’t just our local town: It’s getting our municipalities to talk to one another and come up with a plan so that everybody’s trying to row in the same direction,” affirms Billue. “What’s happening with this new law is now each city is putting in statutes of their own in support of [House Bill] 1365, as opposed to trying to figure out how we actually deal with the homeless crisis that we’re dealing with. My hope is that people who are in the position to do something about it will sit down at the table with those of us who are in the trenches and can show them not just statistics … but show them real people and what’s taking place.”

For those who refuse to fall into the bystander effect and, instead, wish to be an agent of positive change, it is truly up to each person on an individual level to contribute what they can, now more than ever before as nonprofits face new challenges in accessing the funds and resources they need to maximize their efforts. Monetary donations are needed the most, but assistance is not limited to financial. Item donations are a major help to people in need, but donating one’s time can also help change lives for the better. From offering services related to a personal skill such as legal advice, haircuts, educational instruction, childcare, etc. to promoting and working at a charitable event, there is no limit on how to get involved and make a difference.

Giving one’s time as a volunteer is an impactful undertaking, as well. Every month, Christian Service Center hosts a Family Volunteer Saturday in which groups of people from the community join together to work on various projects, from sorting donations to landscaping, while the next Family Volunteer Saturday is March 8, and takes place from 9 a.m. to noon; both organizations also host community events and projects throughout the year. Although the most popular time to give back is during the holiday season, their efforts are constant—as is the need for lending a helping hand to our neighbors in need.

A Helping Hand

Organizations committed to making a difference

 Christian Service Center for the Homeless
Downtown Orlando & West Orange
(407) 425-2523
ChristianServiceCenter.org

Matthew’s Hope
Winter Garden
(407) 905-9500
MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Orlando
(407) 295-1066
FeedHopeNow.org