Coalition for the Homeless Reaches Out to Underserved Men
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
By: Amy Green

July 7, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando -- The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida is expanding its services. Construction is complete on a new building that can house 250 men a night.

[Photo: The building represents a new push to move men beyond homelessness, Trotter says. By Amy Green]

The building replaces an unairconditioned pavilion where men used to sleep on the floor.

Brent Trotter of the Coalition for the Homeless says the organization in the past offered few services for single men.

 "You're awakened at 6 o'clock in the morning or 6:30, and you roll all your stuff up and you exit the property. And that was the extent of the services that we provided. Only to return at 4 o'clock the next day and do it all over again."

Now men can sleep in beds. And they can get many of the same services offered to women with children, like education and help with substance abuse recovery.

A grand opening is planned after a new parking lot is built.

The Coalition for the Homeless is Central Florida's largest provider of services for the homeless. It shelters about 650 men, women and children a night.