ORLANDO, Fla. – 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.

What’s called the “point-in-time” count happens every year at the end of January and is critical for groups who provide services to the homeless population.

“Better demographics help us understand better who’s experiencing homelessness,” Brian Postlewait said.

Brian Postlewait is the chief operating officer for the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. He says the PIT count is like a “snapshot” that tells us what’s going on in our communities.

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“Is homelessness getting better? Is it getting worse?” asked Postlewait. “How is it changing?”

According to last year’s count, a total of 2,776 people were counted as part of the homeless population. It’s 23% more than the year before. Some 683 were people over the age of 54, some of which were living unsheltered.

Data collected over the past five years shows count has continued to rise in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness increased by 86% from 2023 to 2024.  Postlewait says the primary challenge continues to be the lack of affordable housing, rising rents, and high eviction rates.

“I think everybody knows that in Central Florida we are experiencing a housing crisis and it’s a lot like musical chairs, right?” said Postlewait. “When you are playing musical chairs, and the music stops, and you have one less seat. If somebody is without a seat, somebody is without a home.”

Kazandra Irizarry, one of more than 300 volunteers who are going out to conduct the count this year, shared her own experience,

“My first time ever being homeless was 16,” Irizarry sais. “I’m the oldest of five, so I have to be the role model for them.”

Irizarry says her own success drives her to help others too.

“There’s a lot of homeless who are just lost,” Irizarry said. “They are alone, and they don’t have no one to look for. It’s hard to see that because I remember when I was in that type of lifestyle.”

Volunteers that help with the survey also give out basic supplies like food, water, and hygiene kits, and share resources with the people they meet.

“The people without homes are the most vulnerable,” Postlewait said. “People with disabilities. Single moms with multiple kids. Folks who have lost jobs. People that are struggling with mental health crises.”

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