News Summary
Pastor Marcos Diaz has gained approval for an 18,000-square-foot homeless shelter and drug treatment facility in East Orlando by county commissioners. This project aims to tackle the rising homelessness crisis, which has surged by 28%, with over 7,300 individuals affected. The $35 million initiative, funded through a voucher program, seeks to aid those struggling with homelessness and addiction. Diaz’s previous attempts included makeshift shelters, and the new facility will incorporate essential security and regulatory measures as construction begins in the coming years.
Orange County – Pastor Marcos Diaz has received official approval from Orange County commissioners to construct an 18,000-square-foot homeless shelter and drug treatment facility on his property in East Orlando. This new facility is considered essential as the region grapples with a severe homelessness crisis, which has seen a 28% increase in homelessness compared to the last count in 2022, totaling 7,322 homeless individuals, more than half of whom are currently unsheltered.
The new shelter represents a significant investment of $35 million, with funding primarily coming from a voucher program in collaboration with various government agencies. Pastor Diaz is partnering with Edgardo Saldana of Asher Capital for this ambitious project, aiming to provide critical resources for a population in dire need.
Diaz, who has operated Hope City Refuge and Kaleo Ministries in Central Florida for nine years, has a long history of assisting the local homeless community. He has previously provided makeshift accommodations, including homemade dormitory-style shelters and converted shipping containers, successfully sheltering over 100 homeless individuals on his property. However, his efforts have been met with considerable challenges, including a recent injunction in March 2024 that forced the closure of his previous homeless shelter due to 38 code violations, necessitating the evacuation of residents.
In light of the recent county approval for the larger shelter, Diaz is now required to implement 24-hour security measures as a part of the new facility’s operational requirements. In addition, he must pay reduced fines amounting to $130,000 before construction can commence. The overall timeline for breaking ground on the new shelter is estimated to take between 18 months and 2 years, largely due to necessary paperwork and regulatory processes.
The property where the new shelter will be built is valued between $3 million and $5 million, offering equity to support the upcoming investment. Up until now, Diaz has accumulated approximately $4 million in fines while attempting to address the code infractions cited by county officials. The county has also extended assistance to displaced homeless individuals by helping them find temporary housing in response to the recent shelter closure.
As the homelessness crisis in Orange County continues to escalate, the establishment of this new facility is a signal of the increasing urgency to address the needs of the homeless population. The partnership between Pastor Diaz and local officials is a step toward developing sustainable solutions amid rising numbers, aiming to provide not just shelter but also support for those struggling with drug addiction.
In summary, Pastor Marcos Diaz is poised to expand his efforts in aiding the homeless community in Orange County through the construction of a new, large-scale shelter and drug treatment facility. The increased homelessness rates underscore the critical need for timely and effective responses, making this project a cornerstone initiative for addressing the challenges faced by the vulnerable population in the area.
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Additional Resources
- My News 13: Orlando Pastor Gets County Approval to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Homeless Shelter
- Google Search: homelessness Orange County
- OC Register: Laguna Beach Takes a Look at Its Shelter
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Spectrum Local News: Orange Commissioners to Make Final Decision on Rezoning of Hope City Shelter
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- LA Times: Mailbag: Dearth of Winter Shelters for Orange County’s Homeless
- Google News: Orange County homeless shelter
