Studies find Orlando is mean and violent towards homeless
Last week, preliminary results of a nationwide survey were released, effectively ranking Orlando as the most violent metropolitan area towards the homeless in the U.S.
A little background information: several weeks ago, we posted about Orlando’s ranking as the 3rd meanest city towards the homeless, based on a study by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and the National Coalition for the Homeless (not affiliated with us). In case you are wondering, we disagreed with that ranking (see the post containing our opinion here). Less than a month later, the National Coalition for the Homeless released a second study that ranked Orlando as the most violent city in Florida towards the homeless. Although this ranking is a little easier for us to believe than the last, it is an especially tough title because in 2008 Florida was ranked the most violent state towards the homeless for the fourth year in a row.
Put those two statistics together and you’ve labeled Orlando the most violent metropolitan area towards the homeless in all of the United States. And that’s on top of the headlines saying we are the third meanest city to the homeless.
We realize that we are a bit late to jump on this week-old story, but frankly, we are amazed this blow to the city of Orlando has not received more attention (aside from the related Orlando Sentinel story, that is). And although the survey results are not finalized, we’d like to start talking about them. If Orlando is ranked by others as the most violent city and the third meanest city towards the homeless, we definitely think Central Florida should be paying attention.
To read the National Coalition for the Homeless’ full report on violence against the homeless, click here.
To read the National Coalition’s earlier report on the top ten “meanest” cities to the homeless, click here.
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I am one of the homeless people on the streets of Orlando. I am not stereotypical as a substance abuser or mental illness and neither are alot of the ones out there, but true, many are. I am an Internet Marketing affiliate, starving article writer, trying to pick myself up, with my laptop, cell phone, etc. It is really difficult, the enviorment of Orlando’s Downtown area is the worse with law enforcement enacting no tresspassing warnings everywhere, harassing the people who put on the street and park feedings. Perhaps there sore that they had to concede in a court order to a group of rock and rollers to feed the homeless However, thats where the resources are at for the homeless population. Downtown during the day is all office workers and at night it’s the bar scene for Orlando’s preppies. Perhaps this city has had more than its share of problems with homeless people and that may explain why they’ve enacted to tresspass at the drop of a hat every church, street corner, park, or maybe people are afraid to view what is fast becoming everyones eventuallity if they lose their job and a couple of paychecks. I know the new faces on the street and the many people served at the coalition’s daily feeding are not stereotypical with their families in tow. Thanks to and for the coalition, rescue mission, and all the supporters of the church groups that put out the food and resources in spite of opposition from friends, family and co-workers, it really is appreciated. More information will be made available at http://www.ricamp.org or I can be contacted at brad4un09@yahoo.com
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many thanks about your posting. extremely gud.
Thank you for your comment. We are happy you enjoyed the post! Be sure to check out our recent posts too!
This is sad but it dont surprise me one bit
Orlando is really bad with homeless people. They have so many homeless people but yet they rather tear down a stadium and put up another place the homeless can’t live in. Instead of them pushing the homeless out they need to get more programs and shelters available for the homeless. It’s not human what these people do down here. I’m from NY and they have homeless people but not like this. I think Florida may have a lot more. That’s really something that needs to be addressed.
Thank you for your comment. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ report, The State of Homelessness in America 2012, Florida had more than 56,000 homeless individuals in 2011. (New York had just over 63,000.) As of regional reports last year, there were about 10,000 homeless individuals over the year in Central Florida. We are anticipating more recent numbers very shortly.
We agree with you that homelessness needs to be addressed in a meaningful way. That’s why the Coalition works very hard with our community to return Central Florida’s homeless men, women, and children to lives of independence. In fact, we serve over 750 people per night with food, shelter, and services. In addition, we are in the process of constructing our new Men’s Service Center, to open in early-2013. This will position us to better serve homeless men and we can’t wait to be able to do so!