In Orlando, Florida, local leaders gathered on Wednesday to mark a significant funding achievement and launch the Foundations Project. This capital initiative, spearheaded by the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, aims to construct a new Center for Women and Families in the city.
Joining the announcement were U.S. Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, alongside leaders from the Coalition.
In 2024, the Coalition submitted plans to the City of Orlando to develop a new 105,000-square-foot facility on its Parramore campus. This new construction will replace the existing Center for Women and Families, with investments directed at building a state-of-the-art space to enhance service access for families with low to moderate incomes.
The architectural plans for the facility include expanded accommodations, an integrated health clinic, a contemporary kitchen and dining area, and workforce development resources. The project is anticipated to boost service capacity by 40 to 50 percent.
“This project represents more than just a building; it’s a route out of homelessness,” remarked Brad Butterstein, President and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.
Congressman Frost has successfully secured $3 million for the center as part of the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026.
“Housing is the great fulcrum of every great society. If you don’t have a stable house, you won’t be able to start that business, do your education, or be in our society,” Frost said.
Orange County approved an additional $18.5 million, and the City of Orlando is expected to consider a $10 million funding package later this year to support construction.
“We’re moving the needle. It takes a collaboration between government, between the private sector, and the philanthropic sector to take care of the least of those in our community,” Demings said.
For more information on the Foundations Project, click here.
