Grassroots Group Rallies Orlando Community to Support Local Homeless Shelters

Neighbors organize to counter anti-shelter narrative and urge officials to invest in homelessness resources

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:52pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a park bench repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the homelessness crisis in Orlando.A grassroots movement in Orlando is rallying the community to support increased investments in homelessness resources, countering opposition to a proposed new shelter.Today in Orlando

A grassroots group called Support Orlando Shelters is mobilizing local residents to attend city and county commission meetings, speak up in support of homeless services, and counter the narrative of a vocal minority that opposed a recent proposal to open a new shelter. The group aims to show elected leaders that there is community-wide support for addressing the growing homelessness crisis in the Orlando area.

Why it matters

Orlando's rising cost of living has pushed more residents into homelessness, with the region's shelter capacity struggling to keep up with demand. While some neighbors have opposed new shelter proposals, citing concerns about public safety and property values, Support Orlando Shelters believes the community must come together to support its most vulnerable members.

The details

The group formed after a proposal to convert a vacant county work release center into a new homeless shelter was defeated last year, following an organized campaign by neighbors called 'Stop SODO Shelter.' Now, Support Orlando Shelters is working to counter that narrative, regularly attending government meetings to thank officials for homelessness funding and urge them to do more. The group has about 200 people on its email list and hopes to inspire more residents to get involved and make their voices heard.

  • The 'Stop SODO Shelter' campaign defeated a proposal to open a new shelter in March 2025.
  • Support Orlando Shelters began meeting monthly at a local church in the summer of 2025.
  • The group has been regularly attending city and county commission meetings for the past several months.

The players

Lee Perry

Founder of Support Orlando Shelters, a local political consultant and environmental activist who previously worked on staff with Orange County commissioners.

Kathleen Fitzgerald

A member of Support Orlando Shelters who has spoken at Orange County Commission meetings, thanking officials for homelessness funding.

Pastor Scott Billue

Founder and head of the homeless service nonprofit Matthew's Hope Ministries, which provides outreach to homeless individuals in Orange and Brevard Counties.

Orange County Commissioners

Local elected officials who have approved millions in federal grants for homeless services, including funding for a new shelter for women and children and an expanded food pantry.

City of Orlando

The local government that had proposed converting a vacant work release center into a new homeless shelter, before facing opposition from some neighbors.

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What they’re saying

“While I do understand the pressing need to address homelessness, I believe the current plan, as it stands, poses a significant risk to the safety and security of the community, and to property values.”

— Unnamed neighbor

“The county's budget is our money, the people's money. You are merely charged with being good stewards of that money. Having said that, I want to thank you for signing off on $39 million in federal grants that will provide funds for the Coalition for the Homeless to build a new shelter for women and children, and $15 million for United Against Poverty to replace and enlarge its food pantry. This is how I want my tax dollars being spent, and I support your continued efforts to make the lives of everyone in Orange County better.”

— Kathleen Fitzgerald, Support Orlando Shelters member

“They're not even fucking talking about it. That's what pisses me off.”

— Pastor Scott Billue, Founder and head of Matthew's Hope Ministries

What’s next

Orange County is currently considering a proposal to build a new 150-bed shelter in the Goldenrod area east of downtown, a project that Support Orlando Shelters supports with some concerns about the timeline for completion.

The takeaway

This grassroots effort highlights the growing divide in Orlando over how to address the city's homelessness crisis, with some residents opposing new shelter proposals while others are organizing to demand more investment in services and resources. The outcome could shape the community's approach to this complex issue for years to come.