The Brief
- Gospel, Inc.’s two new apartment buildings cost $6.5 million and were funded through private donors, federal funds and city grants.
- The 48 units provide a safe place to land for those who are chronically homeless.
- The next phase of the project includes the construction of a third apartment building.
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.…