Matthew's Hope will turn classrooms into transitional family housing at former Cocoa church

Scott Billue knows what it's like the be homeless. He has memories of being the child of a single mother shuffling around Florida taking help where it could be found but unable to find a lasting solution to a problem that continues to plague families across the state and the country.

Now as CEO and founder of the non-profit Matthew's Hope, Billue has a plan that he hopes will bridge the gap between homelessness and stability by providing housing with accountability for families, offering them a permanent path forward. Once the project makes its way through the approval process, Matthew's Hope will convert disused church classrooms into one-bedroom efficiency apartments for young mothers and children battling homelessness. Billue wants a place where people can get services that attempt to tackle homelessness at its roots.

Before doing full-time service and outreach, Billue was a preacher and before that he worked in the financial sector. He now puts his energy into serving those without homes, turning the former church into a clean, modern hub where those without the necessities can access a baseline quality of life.

Used as storage now, the classrooms are home to scattered supplies, construction equipment and the detritus of their former purpose. But within the year, Billue said they will comprise the 12-14 transitional homes for families facing the worst.

Those who will live in the transitional housing at Matthew's Hope won't be doing so for free. But portions of the money paid in rent will be saved in escrow for them. By doing this, Billue said, it creates habits of accountability that those in homelessness can use and development to stay out in the future once their time at Matthew's Hope is over. Many mothers who have stayed in the Winter Garden homes have left with thousands and thousands saved from their time there to set them up for the next chapter in life.

The row of classrooms sits on the campus of the former Methodist Church on Forrest Avenue just north of Cocoa Village. In the past two years, Billue and the rest of the team at Matthews Hope, with the help of an anonymous outside investor, have poured millions into creating a center for wraparound homeless services. On site, there are brand new showers, a hair and nail salon, even a small grocery and a Montessori preschool available to those who are working or in school. It will be available to the young families who are expected to move in once construction is complete. Over 40 families already bring their children to the school.

Those who have been on the streets are able to learn trades in building and carpentry on the site as well, Billue said, creating a scenario where employers reach out to him to find needed labor.

Adding the efficiency apartments is the next step in ensuring families aren't living on the streets or in their cars, Billue said.

"Each one will be set up with a kitchenette and a private bathroom. It's not like a homeless shelter by any stretch of the imagination," Billue said. "These places will be furnished with internet and cable. The whole nine yards."

Matthew's Hope has operated in Winter Garden for over a decade, providing similar transitional housing in single-family homes. Billue said the need in Brevard County is possibly greater than in Orange County, making it a priority for him to get women with children off the street.

According to data from the Brevard Homeless Coalition, the number of Brevard County residents living on the streets is the highest since 2015. That same survey data from this year shows at least 63 households with children were living on the streets in Brevard. On top of that there were 19 minors without families living unaccompanied on the streets. That increase in need has been part of what motivated Billue and Matthew's Hope to work quickly.

"We're doing in 13 months what it took us 13 years to build over there," he said. Billue emphasized that the housing will not be a shelter nor is it intended to be a permanent residence. It won't be free either — the non-profit employs accountability measures.

Those facing homelessness who work and live at Matthews Hope are background checked in order to protect the community as well. Cameras located around the campus are equipped with facial recognition software to prevent crime, Billue added.

"This isn't a homeless shelter by any means," Billue said. "When the wheels fall off, it's very tough to get back on track. It's so tough to figure out a way out of homelessness."

More: Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings

More: Amazon to build $120 million Kuiper satellite processing facility at KSC

On top of offering services at Matthew's Hope, the organization has two buses that travel throughout the county, picking up those in need and bringing them in for basic services such as hot showers, food and medical care. There are also mobile teams who travel throughout the county providing services to those who are unable to come in, he said.

We are setting them up to be successful and survive in the world. We want to make sure they've got skin in the game," Billue said. "It works. That's the best thing I can tell you. It works." In order to move forward with the rehabilitation of classrooms into apartments, Matthew's Hope will need to go through one more hurdle with the city of Cocoa on Aug. 25, when the city council will take a second vote to rezone the property from commercial to high-density residential.

A first vote in July passed unanimously but not without pushback. Some members of the community criticized the idea of homeless taking up residence in the church, which is located among other traditional residences, citing crime and other issues in the community. Billue said there has been no crime as a result of Matthew's Hope.

"I believe in the positive results of their program of education, collaboration and communication they are doing," Mayor Mike Blake said at the first passing of the zoning change.

Councilman Alex Goins said he understands concerns over offering such an expansive service center along with residences with those in homelessness. "But I also believe in the program. I just directed somebody there two days ago and they were able to get help. I'm not just talking about homeless people on drugs. I'm talking about moms with kids who can't afford rent living in their cars," he said. "The concerns are real, but programs like this need to exist," he said.

Tyler Vazquez is the North Brevard and Brevard County Government Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-917-7491 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Matthew's Hope plans transitional housing for homeless families in Cocoa