Eric Gray recently expressed his concerns over the increase in the poverty rate in Central Florida. Gray is the director of Christian Service Center, a faith-based nonprofit in Orlando. 

'It Could be Much Worse'

In a report with WESH, the director pointed out that hundreds of homeless people line up at their center every day to receive help. 

According to Gray, the poverty crisis could have been worse if it were not for assistance provided by the government. 

Although, the director also pointed out that while the government did step up and prevent a wider spread of poverty, he said that the new data concerned him. 

Poverty Rate in 2020

The U.S. Census Bureau claimed that the national poverty rate came down by one percent. According to the report, the official poverty rate in 2020 was at 11.4 percent. 

The data further said that this was the first time the poverty rate increased after five consecutive declines. 

Gray told WESH that poverty in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties was much higher. 

He claimed that the poverty rate in those counties was at 16 percent, saying they were higher than average. 

"That's about 383,000 people in the metro area living in poverty, that's a lot," he explained.

The nonprofit's website states that Christian Service Center has partnered with over 3,000 local businesses and 200 Central Florida churches.

Crisis Would Only Worsen

Another nonprofit, United Against Poverty, said that the crisis would only worsen now that the moratorium on evictions has ended. 

Nancy Robbinson told the news outlet that she found it "gut-wrenching" to receive calls from her clients. Robbinson works with the United Against Poverty in Orlando. 

According to her, many of those who called their office sounded desperate because they were about to lose their homes. 

She shared that their organization received a spike in calls asking for help. Robbinson said the upcoming evictions would be the "tip of the iceberg." 

"I think we'll find more people living in their cars and day-to-day hotels, which is considered homeless," she stated.

WESH reported that while the data from the national government might sound encouraging, those who serve homeless communities think otherwise. 

Federal Funding

In a report with Orlando Weekly, Florida became the last state to apply for a pandemic food-stamp program. The news outlet said that the approval came after weeks of prodding Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

According to the report, the state received over a billion dollars in Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) federal funding. 

The said program aims to help school children whose families are living in poverty. Around 2.7 billion beneficiaries will receive another $375 over 30 days starting Nov. 15. 

Nikki Fried, Florida agriculture commissioner, told Orlando Weekly that $375 might not sound like a big amount to most people. She stressed that for many people living in Central Florida, the extra benefits meant a world of difference. 

Fried also added that the money could cover expenses such as groceries while the family's paycheck would go towards rent. 

She emphasized that every penny counts for families who are experiencing food insecurity. 

While Fried said it was "shameful" that Florida was the last state to apply for the benefit, she was glad to hear that many families would receive some money. 

More from Crossmap:

Christian Service Center for Central Florida declares 'food pantry emergency,’ asks for donations