ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando City Council unanimously approved a plan Monday to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to convert two Greyhound buses into overnight shelters.
“Last year, we rescued 1,235 people, adults and children. This year, our goal is to help rescue over 1,300 adults and children,” Eric Gray, Executive Director of the Christian Service Center for the Homeless, said.
Gray told News 6 he is ready to continue saving lives through the potential purchase of two 45-foot former Greyhound buses that would be converted into a mobile shelter.
The “Dignity Buses,” would be equipped with 20 bunk beds, power outlets, and large restrooms. The bedding will be washed daily, and the buses can be parked and powered through an electrical plug-in. Each bus will have a security attendant who can drive if necessary.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
“We’re trying to get people who are literally sleeping outdoors right around our campus into a safe, warm space. While they’re there, we’re working with them through very intensive case management to get them into permanent housing,” Gray explained.
“When the buses aren’t being used during the day, we’re actually on occasion, be taking them to local municipalities and county governments, trying to encourage them to think more innovatively around what types of solutions they can potentially participate in.”
The proposal came before the city council just weeks after the city abandoned plans to open a large shelter in the SoDo district. The mayor stated that the previous location was not feasible and the nearly 800 people in Orlando who have no option but to sleep outside continue to do so. This project, dubbed 407 Connect, would provide a safe space for up to 40 individuals each night.
The cost of each bus is $175,000, with annual operating expenses estimated at about $1 million. Gray hopes the city’s embrace of the plan will inspire other communities to invest in solutions for homelessness.
“Our hope is to encourage community leaders and cities that are not currently investing anything in homelessness to consider options for the future,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be this option. We just need them to start investing in fighting homelessness in their community.”
The expectation is that by assisting at least 39 people nightly, this initiative could lead to permanent housing for 407 individuals over three years.
Gray said the buses could be ready for use by July.
