LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – When a homeless man asked for help, a Mount Dora business owner stepped up. But as she tried to connect him with services, she discovered a stark reality: Lake County has no emergency homeless shelter. Tonight, we take a closer look at the gaps in the safety net for people living on the streets.
Jessica Andrews — co-owner of RJ’s Dirty Laundry in Mount Dora — says she can’t turn her back on a man who needs help. “I would really like to see the community come together to support someone who needs it,” Andrews said.
She met the homeless man last week. “He was sitting outside of the gas station on the corner, but I told him if he needed more shade, he was welcome to sit in front of the clothing portion of the business,” Andrews said.
Since then, she and her husband have given him work cleaning windows, paid for a hotel room, and spent days searching for more permanent help. “I’ve called churches. I’ve called every resource people have given me, and I just keep getting closed doors,” she said.
But she’s hit roadblocks. One of the major reasons is that Lake County doesn’t have a homeless shelter. The Lake County homeless guide on the sheriff’s office website lists only two organizations that offer housing support — one of them is the Salvation Army of Lake County.
“It is a little challenging,” said Capt. Richard White with the Salvation Army of Lake County. “Being the Salvation Army, we can sometimes transport people to Orlando or Tampa.”
White said the Salvation Army provides rental assistance to around 20 families but sees more than 50 unhoused people each day who need food and other services. “I don’t know that building a traditional homeless shelter is the answer, but having some housing available is the answer,” he said.
We asked Lake County several questions, including whether officials plan to bring a homeless shelter to the area and what someone should do if they are experiencing homelessness tonight. The county said it is discussing a future shelter and other options for the homeless, including transitional housing.
Andrews has already set up a GoFundMe to raise money for her friend.
Here is the full response Q&A from the county:
Is there currently an emergency shelter operating in Lake County? If not, why?
Lake County does not currently operate a year-round, County-funded emergency shelter. While nonprofit organizations and service providers offer various forms of housing assistance, including transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and supportive services, the development and operation of a traditional emergency shelter presents significant funding, operational, staffing, and facility challenges. The County works closely with community partners, service providers, municipalities, healthcare providers, and the Continuum of Care to identify solutions and expand resources available to residents experiencing homelessness.
What is the County’s message to individuals who are sleeping outside tonight and need assistance?
Lake County recognizes that homelessness is a complex issue affecting some of our most vulnerable residents. Individuals experiencing homelessness are encouraged to seek assistance as soon as possible through local outreach teams, service providers, and the Coordinated Entry System. While housing resources may be limited, trained professionals help connect individuals to available shelter options, housing programs, healthcare services, behavioral health resources, food assistance, employment services, and other supports designed to help individuals move toward stability.
Where should residents go if they need immediate shelter or support services?
Residents seeking assistance can contact the Office of Housing and Community Services or the Coordinated Entry System through the Mid Florida Homeless Coalition, the region’s lead agency for homelessness services. Individuals may also contact local nonprofit providers, community resource centers, faith-based organizations, and behavioral health providers for assistance. Depending on eligibility and availability, services may include emergency housing assistance, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, case management, healthcare referrals, substance use treatment, employment support, and other community resources.
Advocates have told us that many available services primarily serve veterans, women, and children, and that some programs do not provide housing. What options are available for individuals who do not qualify for veteran, family, or domestic violence-related programs?
Certain programs are designed to serve specific populations such as veterans, families, survivors of domestic violence, or individuals with disabilities. Resources are available for single adults and others who may not qualify for specialized programs. Through Coordinated Entry, individuals can be assessed for eligibility for a variety of housing interventions, including rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, behavioral health services, and other community-based supports. The County recognizes that service gaps exist, particularly for single adults experiencing homelessness, and continues to work with community partners to identify opportunities to expand resources and improve access to services.
Is the County exploring plans to establish an emergency shelter? If so, what efforts are underway?
Lake County continues to evaluate homelessness trends, service gaps, and community needs through partnerships with local providers, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and the Continuum of Care. The County has taken several steps to strengthen the local homeless response system, including expanding outreach efforts, supporting homelessness prevention and housing stability initiatives, participating in regional planning efforts, and securing funding opportunities such as the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. Discussions regarding future sheltering options and other housing interventions remain ongoing as the County works with stakeholders to identify sustainable and effective solutions. The County is also in the process of developing and constructing a transitional housing project in the near future.
Has the demand for homelessness-related services increased over the past five years? If so, how has the County responded to that growing need?
Like many communities across Florida, Lake County has experienced increased demand for housing assistance and homeless-related services due to rising housing costs, inflation, limited affordable housing inventory, and other economic challenges. In response, the County has expanded housing stability and homelessness prevention efforts, strengthened partnerships with service providers, supported outreach and case management activities, implemented a Community Health Worker Program to connect vulnerable residents with needed services, increased collaboration with the Continuum of Care, and secured additional funding resources to address housing and homelessness needs. The County remains committed to working collaboratively with community partners to improve outcomes for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.