Gospel Inc.'s Gospel Village in Lakeland just flipped the switch on 48 new permanent homes, opening the doors Tuesday to a major expansion of its campus for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. In a county video announcing the milestone, Executive Director Ray Steadman stood alongside Polk County officials and described the new units as long-term homes tied directly to on-site work opportunities and services. The opening marks the first big piece of a broader plan to grow supportive housing on the Gospel Village campus.
County Video, Local Leaders Mark The Milestone
Polk County Government rolled out a Facebook reel on Tuesday featuring Steadman and host Bryan Lacey, spotlighting the new housing and the support residents can tap into on site. In the clip, county staff note that Gospel Inc. has added 48 permanent units and now operates roughly 80 homes that serve people who were formerly homeless. The county's post is available through Polk County Government.
City Funding Pushed The Project Forward
The new homes are the opening phase of a planned 72-unit buildout that drew significant local backing. As reported by Bay News 9, the city signed off on roughly $685,000 to support construction, with local reporting noting that the loan will be forgiven if Gospel Inc. keeps the units affordable for 20 years. City commission records and coverage show construction started last year and that phase one, the 48-unit portion, was expected to wrap within about a year of breaking ground.
Programming Pairs Housing With Work And Food
Gospel Village is designed as more than just a cluster of apartments. The nonprofit's website describes on-site programming that includes a Repurpose Studio, sewing classes and a community pantry, while local reporting has highlighted a community garden and an egg-producing hen house that help provide both food and paid work. The campus micro-enterprise model lets residents earn income through crafting and maintaining the property while paying a modest share of rent. Gospel Inc. frames the setup as a holistic approach to ending chronic homelessness, rather than a temporary shelter stop.
Why It Matters In Polk County
Permanent supportive housing remains scarce across Polk County. HUD Continuum of Care data show the Lakeland/Polk County CoC counted 1,207 people experiencing homelessness in its January point-in-time report. Advocates say that ongoing need helped push local officials to prioritize funding for Gospel Village's expansion. Providers regularly point to housing paired with supportive services as the strongest evidence-based strategy for reducing chronic homelessness in the area.
How To Learn More Or Help
Gospel Inc. is taking volunteers, donations and general inquiries through its website and main office line. The nonprofit lists its campus at 1111 East Main Street and provides a phone number for questions. For information on tours, volunteer options or housing applications, visit Gospel Inc. or call (863) 940-4069. The county video and local reporting offer additional background on the expansion and the partners who helped bring it over the finish line.
