ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - On any given night there are 6,000 to 8,000 people who are homeless in Central Florida, according to some estimates. On Friday, about 500 people -- who are not homeless -- got a small taste of what it's like living on the streets.
Home on this night is a parking lot underneath interstate 4 near Orlando’s federal courthouse. People are sleeping on cardboard and cushions as part of one homeless night, an event to raise money to help families without a place to live.
“I used to drive by the guy who had the sign,” said participant Darren Lane who used to be homeless himself.
Lane had successful real estate company in Charlotte, North Carolina, a big home and nice cars, until the real estate market collapsed. He lost everything. He moved his wife and three children to Orlando.
“The most difficult thing is swallowing pride and asking for help. That’s the most difficult thing.”
