After housing 92 unsheltered individuals and family members in 2022, in January, we set a goal to house 130 people this year. As of June 23, we have already housed 233 neighbors in need, a record number in our 52-year history of service. While this is positive news, it illustrates a harsh reality. (Unsheltered) Homelessness in Central Florida is up 36% from a year ago.
With local rents continuing to rise and historic inflation driving up the cost of essentials, life is hard and the future is looking scarier for your neighbors in need. A one-time payment to cover rent can be the difference between someone entering homelessness or staying in their home and on their feet. To put it in perspective, the average amount of rental assistance for just one of our clients is $1,315. For a family who has recently become homeless, placing them into housing costs an average of $3,400. These high costs make it essential for us to have a large pool of funding to continue providing eviction prevention and housing options. While we’re committed to helping as many struggling individuals as our resources allow, we do not want to say “no” to a family with children sleeping in their car because the funding simply isn’t there.
Our mission at the Christian Service Center (CSC) has become a multi-pronged, solutions-based approach providing emergency crisis care to neighbors at risk of eviction by way of prevention (rent and utility assistance), diversion (out of the homeless system and to other housing options), and rapid re-housing for chronically homeless individuals.
“The CSC’s compassionate services are both preventing homelessness and assisting our unsheltered residents in moving toward self-sufficiency. The CSC is a critical part of our regional system of care as they move toward becoming our region's first full-service day center – a long time goal of the region and the City of Orlando and an effort we are proud to support.”
– Buddy Dyer, Mayor
Without your support, we will not be able to house some desperate families during the hot months ahead. Please prayerfully consider making a special summer gift beyond your usual giving. Give securely at ChristianServiceCenter.org.
