Orange County Announces Closure of Remaining Hurricane Ian American Red Cross Shelter

Shelter Located at South Econ Recreation Center Ends 27-day Operation

Orange County, Fla. – As of 5 pm today, the last shelter in Orange County for residents displaced by Hurricane Ian has permanently closed. Managed by the American Red Cross, this pet-friendly shelter assisted as many as 174 shelter residents at a time since opening on October 1^st at Orange County’s South Econ Recreation Center.

Supporting the unique needs of the shelter residents at this location during the 27-day operation was accomplished through a partnership among many agencies including:

• American Red Cross
• FEMA
• Orange County Emergency Management
• Salvation Army
• Orange County Animal Services
• Orange County Sherriff’s Office
• LYNX
• Department of Veteran Affairs
• Coalition for the Homeless
• Homeless Services Network
• Department of Elder Affairs
• Catholic Charities

Hurricane Ian Shelter in Orange County

• Since opening, the Red Cross Shelter at Orange County’s South Econ Recreation Center provided space for nearly 3,200 overnight stays. On a daily basis, the population of shelter residents was as high as 174.
• More than 9,000 meals were provided to shelter residents.
• Shelter residents were also offered laundry services, medical attention, mental health counseling, and spiritual care, when needed or requested. The Red Cross distributed comfort kits that contained basic personal supplies such as a toothbrush, deodorant and shampoo. Shelter residents were allowed to use the shower facilities within the South Econ Rec Center.
• Pets were housed at the South Econ Shelter as well with assistance from Orange County Animal Services. Daily populations totals ranged from 9 to 32, and included dogs, cats, and reptiles.
• LYNX provided transportation for shelter residents to appointments and other services, and made nearly 100 bus passes available.

To facilitate the closure and assist in housing transitions, shelter residents were afforded the opportunity to meet with representatives of local, state, federal and not-for-profit agencies to explore options and to seek guidance in application and qualifying processes. Led by the Red Cross Shelter Resident Transition team, more than a dozen casework staff met with all shelter residents on their next steps prior to the shelter’s closure.