Steve Smith, Executive Director and Founder Of the New Beginnings of Central Florida
After searching for years to secure land for affordable housing in the Four Corners area, New Beginnings of Central Florida found a willing land seller.
A year ago, April 24, 2021, New Beginnings was offered 4 acres of vacant land in the Four Corners area by Sheldon Rubin at a below-market sales price.
His offer was contingent on the Lake County Commissioners approving a pricey +500 home development on his 200-acre property. The 4-acres site was located within the 200-acre parcel that he owned. The County Commissioners approved his request for rezoning, as long as he would allow New Beginnings to purchase the 4 acres within his 200 acres. The request for rezoning was approved and New Beginnings was permitted to build up to 90 new affordable rental apartment homes on the 4-acre parcel. This was a landmark decision as Lake County had not previously approved such high density for single-family home development.
New Beginnings, subsequently, signed a purchase agreement with Rubin, to have the land platted with road access to the site. They could secure financing from Fl Housing Finance Corporation. Rubin gave New Beginnings 1 year to purchase the land knowing it would take several months to have the site platted with road access.
On December 28, 2021, New Beginnings received an assignment of Rubins property to PULTE HOME COMPANY. Rubin sold all of his land, located along Hwy 27, just north of Cagan Crossing, to PULTE. The land earmarked for Affordable Housing had not yet been platted. Rubin told New Beginnings that PULTE would honor the purchase agreement and was planning to have the site plotted and provide road access.
Rubin sent PULTE an email and copied New Beginnings asking when plotting and road access would be completed. Chris Cleary, Pulte Project Manager, responded that it would take 6-9 months to complete. New Beginnings emailed and called Chris Cleary several times asking for an extension knowing that the contract ended May 31, 2022. Cleary never responded.
Cleary finally contacted Smith and explained that because PULTE is a publicly-traded company, they cannot extend their purchase contract. Smith subsequently sent Kathleen Hugo an email asking for an extension due to their inability to provide what was needed in order to close.
In March 2022, both Steve Smith and Attorney Jimmy Crawford, who helped draft the original purchase agreement for Mr. Rubin, emailed Ms.. Hugo seeking an extension. She never responded to phone calls or emails.
Conclusion:
On June 1, 2022, Hugo sent both Smith and Crawford a certified letter stating that the contract was in default because the land hadn’t been purchased prior to the contract deadline, May 31, 2022, She noted that she had received no notice that New Beginnings wanted to close on the property.
Since then, Smith said they have asked for an extension but no response has been received.
Affordable Housing is needed in the Four Corners area. PULTE has the property that was earmarked for Affordable Housing. Hopefully, New Beginnings and PULTE will consider an agreeable resolution. The community needs affordable housing.
