More than 3,800 people are homeless in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties on any given day. Their demographics may surprise you. The majority are white and African American in equal numbers. One in three has a post-secondary education, and nearly half are employed every day. Forty percent are veterans who served our country. These are not people looking for a hand out, but rather a hand up.

I applaud the Orlando Sentinel for its editorial in support of preventing homelessness by funding the recommendations of the Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness. I served as a member of this commission. Yes, its 10-year plan is ambitious, but absolutely achievable with the combined will and resources of our community, political and civic sectors.

Until the work of the Commission on Homelessness bears fruit, I encourage others to join me and my firm in supporting the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. For two decades, this organization has worked to end homelessness in our community by offering comprehensive case management programs to help the homeless become self-sufficient. Last year alone, the Coalition served more than 300,000 meals and provided over 227,000 nights of shelter to homeless individuals.

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