One week after residents of Orlando's SoDo district expressed disappointment in a perceived lack of transparency about plans for a proposed homeless shelter in their neighborhood, the city commissioner who represents them fielded their tough questions.

The proposal to open a large homeless shelter in Orlando’s SoDo district continues to engender intense criticism.

Martha Are, CEO of Homeless Service Network of Central Florida, says they submitted HUD Award applications for federal money used to pay renewals for projects, services, and programs for the homeless community in November.

In a significant move to address homelessness in the region, the Orlando City Council has approved plans for the expansion of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida shelter. This expansion will include a new 9,000-square-foot facility dedicated to providing more resources for unhoused women and children.

Over the next three days, volunteers with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida will be going out to count how many people are experiencing homelessness.

Ashley Hildebrandt, who has been homeless for eight years, tells News 6 that this week's bitter temps have gotten to her.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding a $1.4 million grant to the 13 homeless projects and services in the county.

This story is part of a collaborative initiative of independent local news outlets working towards a more informed and engaged Central Florida.

It’s been a problem some say has gotten worse in recent years, now once again, Melbourne is talking about what to do about the homeless population.

A new state law restricting individuals from sleeping on public property is shaking up communities across Florida but has also inspired an unprecedented journalism collaboration uniting 10 news outlets to tell the complex stories behind the issue.

WKMG News 6 is joining 9 other local news outlets in a regional collaboration to report on the local impact of Florida’s new Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping bill (House Bill 1365), set to be enforced on Jan. 1.

Central Florida faces a stark “math problem” when it comes to addressing homelessness. Available resources simply don’t add up to meet the demand. The challenge has been further complicated by new legislation known as the Florida Homelessness Reduction Act, which went into effect last October.

Florida’s new homeless law gets added teeth on Jan. 1, with residents and businesses allowed to sue cities to enforce camping bans.

Local residents are expressing concerns over a recent agreement that would transform a building along Kaley Avenue into a low-barrier homeless shelter.

Florida has a tough new law aimed at getting the homeless off the streets.

A University of Central Florida researcher claims the homeless population in downtown Orlando already faced a rising number of arrests ahead of a new state law that will ban sleeping on public property.

News 6 viewers said the number of homeless people on the streets of Melbourne has risen over the last few years, and they are concerned about what is being done about it.

The city of Orlando has decided not to move forward with putting a new homeless shelter on Washington Street.

Staff with SALT Outreach and people experiencing homelessness in downtown Orlando couldn’t be happier.

Homeless services organizations are struggling to keep up with the rising number of people living in Orlando’s downtown core without shelter.

A homeless outreach organization has halted its transitional housing program after one of its clients refused to leave after being kicked out of the program.

Leaders in Seminole County say a growing number of people live in cars and on the streets, and only about 200 shelter beds are available countywide.

The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding homelessness encampment bans that went into effect in Central Florida and across the country.

Shannon Diaz with Matthew’s Hope showed News 6 what their food pantry looks like at their Winter Garden campus.Usually, the shelves are fully stocked with canned goods like tuna, Spam and Vienna Sausage.

There could be more government-sponsored homeless camps coming to Florida because of a new law that could force some cities and counties to create their own spots like this.

An Orange County ministry facility housing 100 men, women and children has been shut down.

A controversial proposal designed to prevent homeless people from sleeping in public places while requiring local governments to address the issue is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Driving or walking around the 32825 ZIP code in the Orlando area, it doesn’t take long to find people who have taken to sleeping in tents or doorways.

City leaders signed off on a series of measures to address the growing population of people experiencing homelessness in DeLand.

After a fire at a homeless shelter Wednesday, organizations throughout Central Florida are lending a helping hand.

Business owners in downtown DeLand said they are relieved to hear city leaders are looking to address the growing population of people experiencing homelessness in the city.

Over the next three days, volunteers with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida will be going out to count how many people are experiencing homelessness across the region.

Orlando city commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday that would allow police officers to take immediate action against anyone who intentionally blocks a sidewalk and refuses to move.

If you live, work or visit Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, you will likely see multiple tents with homeless people lining the streets.

According to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, in Orange County alone, more than 1,600 people are considered homeless. That number includes people living in shelters.

This week, leaders in the local religious community are coming together to address something that's become a big issue across Central Florida — homelessness.

With temperatures set to soar next month, Indian authorities need more resources and better preparation to deal with searing heat particularly for the most vulnerable communities around the country, a New Delhi-based think tank said.

One of the largest providers of homeless services in Central Florida is warning of “potential chaos” as it sees an increasing number of people finding themselves without a home and seeking shelter.

The Los Angeles City Council has voted to ban homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers.

A new partnership between deputies and shelter workers in Volusia County is aiming to get more help to the homeless population.

For many of us, plastic bags are a way to get our groceries, and anything else we buy, home from the store.

A man suspected of stalking and shooting homeless people asleep on the streets of New York City and Washington has been arrested.

Disney returned to in-person volunteering this week with a Thanksgiving meal for the residents at Coalition for the Homeless.

A Central Florida nonprofit that services the homeless has asked for donations of plastic bags so its volunteer can continue to make mats out of them.

Two employees and three guests at the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida have tested positive for the coronavirus. According to officials, the individuals have been isolated, and all guests and staff that were potentially exposed have been notified and placed into quarantine. Over the last several months, we have played a critical role in caring for one of the most vulnerable populations in our community at a challenging and unprecedented time, and we take that responsibility seriously, Allison Krall, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida President/CEO said. To help combat the virus, officials have introduced new safety measures to help keep guests and employees safe. We will continue working very closely with the Health Department, following their recommendations and best practices for the health and safety of our residents and staff.Below are additional safety measures from the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida: