Despite the HUD Census discovery that homelessness in Osceola County increased 37% in the last year, the district wholly lacks a homeless shelter. On January 29, 2018, Osceola County District 1 Commissioner Peggy Choudry invited Osceola County residents to assist her in this fight against homelessness.

Upon traveling to Bergen County, New Jersey, Commissioner Choudry felt inspired to emulate the homeless crisis center she visited. Hoping to pair homeless individuals with the necessary resources to exit their impoverished state, Choudry stated her mission was to, “[establish] a place that provides wrap around services through community organizations to get people off the streets long term…a place where families and individuals can receive housing placement and support, emergency assistance, meals and case management services.”

Although her proposal for such a center failed in the face of her commission peers, Choudry proceeded with the idea, garnering public support through a social media campaign and by officially creating a “Homeless Task Force Action Plan Committee.” After having discussed the issues with Osceola citizens in the inaugural meeting that took place on January 29, Choudry plans to begin taking action, hoping that a large constituent backing will persuade her fellow commissioners on the gravity of Osceola’s homeless issue.

The Connect Osceola Citizens & Homeless Committee Meeting will host its second meeting on Wednesday February 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the County Administration Building’s 4^th floor, and welcomes all Osceola County citizens to come together in order to defeat homelessness.