Feature Story by Larry H. Oskin
Steve Smith retired about fifteen years ago to Clermont after a successful career in the banking industry in Columbus, Ohio. Smith shares, “On one Sunday morning following church service way back in January 2007 here in Clermont, my wife Linda, and I, met a struggling homeless man who would transform our lives and many others forever.”
Smith generously took an interest in helping this man to lunch for after church and to eventually also find him housing, a job and food. He noted, “The man told us that his father died a few years prior and he tried managing the family business, yet failed. He had moved to Clermont seeking a new beginning. After lunch, I was taking him home and was startled when he had me stop my car in front of some woods along Highway 50. He told me that was where he lived … in the woods. Since it was going to be freezing temperatures that evening, I told him that I would call our pastor to help get him a warm safe place to stay until he secured employment. I was surprised to find that there was only one small home far from Clermont providing affordable housing for many struggling men and women. They let him stay there only for the night due to being over crowded!”
Smith made some calls the very next day to get him a job through a church friend at a Clermont roofing company. Smith even promised to take him to and from work each day and paid for him to live in a hotel until he found a steady place for him to live. From here, Smith took a passionate interest in helping others who were struggling finding affordable housing, a job with livable and learning how to live a responsible Godly life. Steve and Linda Smith did an Internet search only to find that there were few agencies helping the struggling and homeless people in Clermont. Driving all the way to Orlando for help was out of the question for these people, with no car.
New Beginnings: Smith, said to his wife, “We really have to do something!” They decided to commit their lives to help the homeless get back on their feet. They asked several caring Christians to help them form a non-profit organization. Recognizing that few services were available for those losing their jobs and homes, Smith in 2007 founded New Beginnings of Central Florida as a non-profit homeless faith-based service ministry with volunteer board members and people who would volunteer to provide services. This included a retired pastor, counselor, job trainer, social worker, accountant and an attorney and a group of disabled ladies who did all of the marketing. The Smiths promised the board to raise funds for eventual staff wages, housing for clients, and job referrals for clients graduating.
The Smiths acquired two large homes that could accommodate over 20 people at one time with a personal investment and government grants for New Beginnings. They also acquired other affordable housing units for families, seniors, veterans, single men and moms with children. They grew from all volunteer team to over 30 professional paid staff members and attracted over 1000 volunteers annually. They created three Central Florida thrift stores which gives away thousands of dollars of gently used clothing, shoes, furnishings, kitchenware, household items and even wedding dresses. They established three social service locations staffed with all volunteers to help the hungry, homeless and poor. New Beginnings created two emergency food pantries to help those in need. New Beginnings is not a hotel or a shelter, but offers free housing for residents who are willing to attend educational workshops, job training programs and to be work ready. The goal is to establish a stable Godly environment for themselves and their families which includes a livable wage and permanent housing.
“Our New Beginnings programs help both those who have become homeless and those on brink of homelessness. We work with each person and family to learn how to live a more responsible life with a job, career, the ability to pay their own bills, manage budgets and to be a better man, woman, person and family.”
Woodwinds Apartment Homes: Smith continued to pursue grants and financial help from local, county and state government. In 2016, the State of Florida awarded New Beginnings and a Tampa based partner with $19 million to build 96 affordable rental units in Clermont which were desperately needed. Woodwinds Apartments opened in September 2018 and was full within 1 week.
New Beginnings provides two full-time case managers to help the residents of Woodwinds improve their quality of life. We find and post new job opening in our clubhouse. Families are able to enjoy a pool, clubhouse with social activities, educational programs, a playground and a beautiful park area. Every day, over 80 children living in Woodwinds attend Lake County Schools. Woodwinds offers residents a beautiful safe and affordable home in a nice centrally located environment in Clermont near the Citrus Tower. Everyone is eligible to apply, yet unfortunately has a long waiting list. Once accepted, residents can stay for as long as they want, but are encouraged to save money to be able to purchase a home.
Clermont Ridge Senior Villas – The need for affordable housing for seniors was recognized and through Smith’s efforts, Clermont Ridge Senior Villas was built. The senior housing community contains 11 one-story villa-style buildings, consisting of 70 one-bedroom units of 600 square feet overlooking Jacks Lake. Amenities include a clubhouse, pool, activity room, library, and parking.
Homeless Crisis! Smith predicts, “We are just at the tip of the iceberg! It’s not just the few people you may see on the streets. It’s the people hiding in the shadows, woods and parks, while temporarily sleeping on sofas of friends and family. Housing prices are rising significantly with a short supply and a growing demand. Besides housing, gas, food, cars and everything else have seen large inflationary increases this year. Over 400,000 people have moved here into Central Florida this past year and many more are expected to come with new developments planned in south Lake. The end of the Evictions Moratorium ended October 31, which will add to the list of homelessness. Currently there are 1,575 reported to be homeless students in Lake County schools, and that number is anticipated to increase significantly. There are no small new starter homes available in South Lake. Investors are buying up foreclosure housing, to fix them up for massive high-priced properties with large resale profits. Habitat for Humanity of Lake County typically only builds around 20 new homes per year and most have been built in North Lake County. While mortgages with new lower interest rates can help guarantee a stable payment requirement per month, many people are not making wages like they used to make and their wages are not keeping pace with the rising new inflation. We really are still at the beginning of a homeless crisis for students, single moms, seniors and those who have been evicted, divorced, broken marriages, deaths, disease, medical challenges, COVID furloughs and job loss. With an extended illness, normal working people can go bankrupt without enough money put aside in savings or investments. It’s not just the homeless. Police, fire, first responders, restaurant workers and teachers are struggling to find affordable housing here in this area. Rental rates are now going up significantly. All of these people need our help.”
Steve’s vision is to create affordable housing for all!
Smith notes that there are over 500 seniors living on social security in Clermont, and approximately 37% of the workers in Clermont pay over 30% of their income for housing. The cost of new homes in south Lake County is over $200,000 and a typical 2 bedroom apartment costs approximately $1,500 per month. Florida lacks 921,939 Affordable Housing Units.
“The availability of affordable homes in Lake County is a growing problem that needs to be addressed NOW”, urges Smith.
Provident Housing Solutions: In 2017, Smith stepped down as Executive Director of New Beginnings and formed Provident Housing Solutions as another valuable 501-C3 non-profit company focused on developing more affordable housing to meet the growing demand. In 2018, Smith gathered support from local government officials as well as business and community leaders to forum Housing for All of Lake County, Inc. They meet regularly to find solutions regarding the county’s homeless and affordable housing challenges. Housing for All is currently asking Lake County and cities to ease the growing affordable housing crisis by providing money from the millions they received from the federal government.
Smith also serves on the Mid-Florida Homeless Coalition, the Florida Council of Homelessness and is Chairman of the Lake County Affordable Housing Board. Smith was awarded the 2019 Sadowski Affiliates Award for his ongoing advocacy work.
Smith shares, “We still have a long-way to go as we are committed to creating more affordable housing in Lake County. Housing is a basic and fundamental need in order for individuals and families to live a responsible life.”
