Your story: Steve Smith

I am a retired business executive who previously founded a national insurance company and mortgage lending firm. I retired several years ago and relocated from Columbus, OH, where I lived most of my life and moved to Clermont, FL, so my wife could care for my in-laws. (Clermont is 30 miles NW of Orlando) 

Upon moving to this area in 2006, I discovered that there were no homeless shelters, only one food pantry, no life and job skill training, nor any counseling agencies to serve the many who I felt would soon be losing their job and home. Thus, I asked 11 other caring community leaders in 2007 to form a 501(c)3 nonprofit to serve this population. Since that time we have had some success, having received funding to acquire four transitional homes, two thrift stores and accompanying food pantries. The city also donated an old, rundown vacant building that we renovated through donations, and turned the building into a learning and development center. Our mission is that we don’t pass out fish, but rather we teach people to fish. All of our staff (currently 27) are required to read the book, “When helping hurts,” which parallels the position that giving free use of items such as a bed and a meal is fostering entitlements. 

We provide assistance with strings attached: (Recipients) have to attend eight weeks of structured training classes and secure work within three months (Because my wife serves on the local hospital board and chamber of commerce, we have the connections for them to secure employment).

Besides presiding over our nonprofit, I serve on the Mid-Florida Homeless Coalition and Lake County Housing Board. Recently, the governor of Florida appointed me to the Council of Homelessness, where I serve as chairman of the Awareness Committee. 

Unfortunately, Florida currently lacks 643,000 affordable housing units ( per the 2013 Shimberg Housing Report from the University of Florida). I am actively advocating our state legislators to appropriate the $300 million funds they received last year from document stamp revenue, Legislators developed this fund years ago, with revenue to be held in a Housing Trust Fund. Unfortunately, the last six years, the money has been swept out of this fund and directed towards other pet projects of the legislators, rather than allocating for new affordable housing units. 

Because my county has the fastest growing student homeless population ( over 3,000) we are planning to build 100+ affordable rental units to help serve these families. We are seeking $12 million in grant funds to construct the apartments. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

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