Orange County Government Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@ocfl.net

Orange County Serves Temporary Injunction on Property Deemed to Have Unsafe Buildings and Structures

County will provide relocation and housing assistance to displaced residents.

Orange County, FL – With more than five years of failed inspections and multiple violations, the property known as Kaleo Ministries / Hope City Refuge (1717 Harrell Road, Orlando, FL 32825) has been served with a Temporary Injunction by Orange County government, citing numerous serious life safety issues. The property has been housing persons experiencing homelessness since at least 2019. Under the terms of the injunction, the property owner must immediately “cease inviting and allowing persons to continue living in structures and buildings that are unsafe.”

“After trying to work with the owner of the property over the last few years to address the safety, zoning, and fire violations, it became necessary to take this action to protect the residents of this unlicensed shelter,” said Danny Banks, Orange County’s Director of Public Safety. “We believe there are some 100 men, women, and children living in unsafe and uninhabitable spaces such as shipping containers and cars, and they are at great risk of a fire or other tragic event.”

Prior to the service of the injunction, Orange County established an assistance office nearby in the Help Now Mobile Resource Center staffed with social services representatives to direct residents to emergency temporary housing. In addition, local social services organizations are lending their support and resources to assist the individuals and families who must now leave. Ultimately, this network of providers can help guide them toward more stable housing. Firefighters also offered boxes and bags so residents could better gather their belongings.

“These vulnerable people have been living in an extremely dangerous setting,” added Acting Fire Marshal Bill Farhat. “From a lack of an automatic fire sprinkler system to minimal exits from structures, a fire would have likely resulted in a tragic number of fatalities.”

MORE INFO: A copy of the injunction and information regarding the property owner infractions are available here: https://ocfl.box.com/s/mhhysp564gprof4c3oexb99y2t0mlqpk

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

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