Staffers from United States Congress and State Legislative offices in Central Florida gathered recently to hear the latest news from HUD and from several HUD grantees that provide critical housing and homeless services in Central Florida. The presentations focused on issues and information to better equip them in serving their constituents. The Congressional update took place in the new community room at Hampton Villas, part of Orlando Housing Authority's HOPE VI-funded development project.

Marilyn Gordon, Executive Director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN) receiving a check.

Vivian Bryant, Executive Director of Orlando Housing Authority (OHA) described the progress on construction/improvements at Carver Park, their recent HOPE VI community and the completion of OHA's administrative office at Hampton Park their mostly completed HOPE VI community. Carver Park will feature a central lake, new roads and infrastructure, and 203 housing units including homeownership and rental units. The housing units include a 64 unit multifamily seniors-only complex, attached townhomes with garages, single family detached homes, duplexes, quadplexes and townhouses without garages. A Neighborhood Network Center will be included and will feature a computer lab, a tutoring/study room and a multi-purpose activity rooms. An offsite homeownership program will provide assistance to 50 income eligible families within most areas of Orange County. Marilyn Gordon, Executive Director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN), shared the challenges of delivering services to the homeless in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. The numbers of homeless are dramatically increasing, especially among families. She outlined the ways in which HSN and its member agencies plan to use these new dollars to address the most pressing needs.

Director Buz Ausley presented an overview of the FY2006 budget.

Bakari Burns, CEO of Health Care Center for the Homeless described the work that the Health Care Center for the Homeless is doing to reach the increasing number of homeless individuals who need essential medical attention because they have neglected their health for too long and are uninsured. Outreach teams travel to camps in the wooded areas and everywhere that the homeless reside, convincing them to visit the nearest service center to receive free services provided by various agencies in the healthcare network.

Field Office Director Buz Ausley presented an overview of the FY2006 budget. HUD staff discussed current distribution of formula funding to local entitlement communities, Housing Counseling Agencies, Downpayment Assistance- ADDI, FHA's Increase in loan limits for Orlando MSA ($248,200) and the upcoming FHA Training for lenders, appraisers, builders, realtors in Orlando. Printed information was shared about the grant programs offered in this year's SuperNOFA, the method for applying through Grants.gov, and how to access grant webcasts and other information at www.hud.gov.

The meeting concluded with the presentation of a check for $4,349,078.00 to Marilyn Gordon, Executive Director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN), as the lead agency for the Continuum of Care for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, and to Bakari Burns, CEO of Health Care Center for the Homeless, a member of HSN and provider of services through the Continuum.