“Providing a Home for Homeless Veterans in Central Florida”

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A nonprofit focused on issues related to homelessness is taking steps to get approval for a shelter for homeless veterans.

For the past few years, State of Hope has partnered with management at Lee Gardens Extended Stay in Orlando to house homeless veterans.

“They deserve a place to call home,” said Dr. Eileen Diaz, the president of State of Hope.

News 6 followed Diaz as he led a tour of Lee Gardens on Wednesday, hosting representatives from organizations in central Florida that assist individuals facing homelessness.

Diaz is hoping to partner with the organizations in an effort to provide wrap-around services for her clients.

“What I’m trying to do is integrate all of it into one place,” Diaz said.

State of Hope needs to navigate a process for the approval of Lee Gardens as an emergency shelter. This may involve re-zoning, a step that Orange County Commissioner Kelly Semrad, present during the tour, viewed with optimism.

Semrad expressed hope, stating, “I believe we stand a chance. By uniting all these individuals, we can have a positive impact on the lives of many.”

Diaz said there are 45 veterans currently at Lee Gardens. She is hoping that once Lee Gardens is designated as a shelter, all 143 units in the building will be occupied by veterans.

She envisions a shelter where veterans can transition into short-term and long-term housing — options that she says will be available under the same roof.

“We want to give them the support that they really deserve,” she said.