One More Child Program Expands Single-Mom Housing
The program, part of Lakeland’s Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, is opening its 11th house for families headed by single moms and plans to build three more this year.
Social Services
Federal Shutdown Could Delay Senior Apartment Opening
The shutdown affects a senior complex being constructed by the Lakeland Housing Authority and plans for other re-construction at the West Lake community near Lake Beulah.
Tiny-House Development for Seniors, Veterans Opens
A tiny-house community of affordable homes for seniors and veterans opened just north of Lakeland Square mall Wednesday. It’s the Lakeland Housing Authority’s first new housing development in 18 years | Here’s a cool aerial view.
Three Sites Eyed for Cultural Heritage/Aging Center
Lakeland Vision and some other organizations came to City Hall today with a vision for the future: a building that would house agencies that serve the elderly, a museum celebrating Lakeland’s diverse ethnic heritages and maybe a visitor bureau and center for business organizations. More
Homeless Package Gets Funded Via Red-Light Camera Fines
A four-prong attempt to reduce homelessness in Lakeland kicks off in January after city commissioners decided 4-3 Friday to fund it with $190,000 in red-light camera fines that had been held in reserve. The package has the backing of the Polk Homeless Coalition and the major local non-profits that serve the homeless, Mayor Bill Mutz said.
$25M Skilled Nursing Center Planned for Lake Gibson Village
A $25 million skilled nursing center planned for north Lakeland’s Lake Gibson Village is a “pivotal piece” in “building out the entire continuum of care” for senior residents, CEO Renee Tucker said. The facility on nine acres purchased by Greystone Healthcare Management of Tampa is expected to open in 2020. More
Gospel Inc. Unveils Vision for Tiny-House Village for Homeless
Two Lakeland leaders with a passion to reduce homelessness shared their visions for the paths forward with a crowd of 450 tonight at a Gospel Inc. “friend raiser.” For Mayor Bill Mutz, it was a goal of a city government working alongside social service agencies to lead the transitional homeless into housing and productive lives. For Brian Seeley, founder of Gospel Inc., it was a night to introduce his vision of Gospel Town, a tiny-house community supporting the chronic homeless. More
Subsidized Housing Community on Lake Beulah Transforms
A three-story subsidized senior apartment building under construction marks the first phase of the transformation of West Lake Apartments into Twin Lake Estates, named for its location between lakes Beulah and Hunter. The next two phases include both subsidized and market-rate apartments and townhouses housing about 320 families, triple the current capacity | Renderings: Phase 1, Phase 2
Mutz: Plan Would Reduce Lakeland’s Homeless Population
Mayor Bill Mutz is convinced that four steps recommended by a local steering committee will significantly reduce homelessness in Lakeland. On Friday morning, he tried to convince his colleagues on the City Commission that the plan needs the city’s financial backing, but several of them questioned whether government should take the lead on the homeless issue. More