The government shutdown is putting pressure on local nonprofits across the country, including one that helps thousands of families in Osceola County, Hope Partnership. Gary Capers is a retired electrician.”I’ve got everything I need right there,” said Capers. He keeps his tools handy, ready for side work, but it is not enough to pay the bills. Now, he lives in his car.Capers is one of thousands in Osceola County who have turned to Hope Partnership for help.The nonprofit helps families pay rent and gain access to critical services, but as the economy has gotten worse, the need has gone up drastically. And now, the government shutdown is putting a strain on its resources.”We have some OK reserves,” said Will Cooper, chief operating officer for Hope Partnership. “Still, we are concerned that if this government shutdown continues on, we’ll be facing some difficult decisions by the end of this year about what to do.” With half of its revenue coming from government contracts, the shutdown means invoices are not getting reimbursed. “We have hundreds, thousands of households in our rapid rehousing program and our supportive housing program and others that are reliant on the rent payment that comes from these organizations to survive,” Cooper said. Last year, roughly 75 to 85 people used Hope Partnership’s services every week. Now, they are seeing more than 100 people a week, and most are first-time families. “A lot of families who before were doing OK, maybe not great, but doing OK, now find themselves on the precipice of entering homelessness,” said Cooper. It’s a situation Capers never imagined he would one day be in. Now, he is hoping that Hope Partnership can fill the gap. To donate to Hope Partnership, click here