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A new apartment complex offers a fresh start
Gospel Village in Lakeland offers more than just shelter for the chronically homeless. FOX 13's Carla Bayron brings us the story.
LAKELAND, Fla. - Gospel Inc. recently opened new permanent apartments in Lakeland for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. It is much more than just a roof over their heads; it is a place to build new skills and find a sense of community.
Crystal Franco, 49, lives in the renovated trailer park at Gospel Village. Before being welcomed into the Gospel, Inc. program several years ago, she experienced chronic homelessness, living in and out of her car.
"There wasn't a shelter around where I was, so I was just sleeping on sidewalks and behind buildings," Franco said.
By the numbers:
Franco is incredibly excited about the organization's two new apartment buildings, which cost $6.5 million and were funded through private donors, federal funds and city grants.
"When you get yourself into a rut, it's hard to pull yourself out when you're broken inside. You don't have any hope," Franco said. "I think this is a really big step. You feel human again."
Gospel Inc. Executive Director Ray Steadman explained that the 48 units provide a safe place to land for those who are chronically homeless. Residents pay 30% of their income for rent, which operates on a sliding scale.
What they're saying:
"Anybody who doesn't have an income is able to work for us, and we'll give them a job where they can earn their rent," Steadman said. "They can contribute monetarily or through effort."
The property will also feature a new office building housing an art studio, a sewing room, a garage for wood and metalworking, and a health clinic.
"They can start to form a community where they can heal, and they can only do that in a place that starts with the first principle, which is a place of permanence," Steadman said.
"It's so amazing that people are like, 'It's too good to be true,'" Franco said. "But I've been here since 2021 when they started this, and I have nothing but trust for them. I love them. They're my family."
What's next:
Phase 3
The next phase of the project includes the construction of a third apartment building.
Move-in timeline
The organization expects it will take four to six weeks to fully occupy all current units.
Future upgrades
Going forward, Gospel, Inc. plans to replace some of the older trailer homes with a tiny-house model.
The Source: This article was written with information from Gospel, Inc., a religious organization in Lakeland, as well as a participant in their homeless housing program.