Summer heat waves. Winter freezes. Extreme temperatures impact everyone in our community ... especially those who don't have a safe place to stay.
More than one in four homeless individuals in Florida is over the age of 55, according to the 2024 Council on Homelessness Report -- and about one-third of those seniors are 64 or older. Whether due to health issues, housing prices, or a combination of several challenges, many who lose their homes have no one to turn to for help.
And that poses a serious risk. In a state where humidity and high temperatures result in summer days where the heat index routinely exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit, shelter isn't a privilege, but a necessity. Without access to cool shelter and water, older adults are at much higher risk of dehydration and heat stroke.
These seniors are more than a statistic. They're veterans, grandparents, and hardworking community members -- many of whom are already struggling to manage physical disabilities, illnesses, or age-related cognitive impairments that leave them more susceptible to the dangers of extreme weather. As a community, we're called to extend a helping hand.
That's why, in partnership with the Homeless Services Network and Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), Shelters for Seniors is providing free cooling and heating centers open to any Central Florida senior experiencing homelessness -- ensuring that, in summer or winter, older adults in our community will always have somewhere to go.
The first shelter in Orange County will open Monday (Sept. 23) at Transformation Village in Bithlo, where older adults will be able to find relief in safe, air-conditioned spaces with restrooms, drinking water, and refrigerated refreshments. Transformation Village is also home to a medically assisted treatment center that can help individuals struggling with substance use disorders and behavioral health issues.
In Brevard, Osceola and Seminole counties, Shelters for Seniors have already been able to help several homeless seniors with food and water, hygiene kits and referrals to local assistive services.
Likewise, while Florida is known for its mild winter weather, the cold season can bring temperatures in the low 40s, with some nights below freezing. Here, too, Shelters for Seniors is offering a refuge: safe, heated shelters with warm food and soup, blankets and other essentials.
We're eager to make a difference across Central Florida as the first wide-scale program focused on heating and cooling resources for homeless seniors. But we can do more -- and you can be part of the solution.
Whether by spreading the word about shelters or donating supplies, every community partner helps ease the burden on our neighbors in need.
While Shelters for Seniors are only open during certain days in the hottest and coldest times of year, help is available year-round through the Senior Resource Alliance's agency partners. From assistance with utility bills, late fees and A/C repairs ... to home modifications that help older adults age in their own homes, we're committed to ensuring every senior in our community can age with dignity, well-being and purpose.
Find out more about SRA or seek help for yourself or a loved one by calling the Elder Helpline today at 1-800-963-5337. Assistance is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in English and Spanish.