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Key Points
- The Apopka CRA is exploring a public-private partnership for a proposed homeless resource center at 205 E. Eighth St.
- About 45% of Matthew's Hope's nearly 2,100 registered West Orange County clients come from Apopka; more than 60% of its transportation users are picked up there.
- City staff contacted 15 organizations about potential partnerships. No resource center operator or funding arrangement has been approved.
The Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board continued exploring plans for a homeless resource center Thursday, Nov. 12, hearing from Matthew’s Hope Ministries and reviewing city staff’s outreach to nonprofit organizations about potential partnerships.
Scott Billue, founder and CEO of Matthew’s Hope, told the board that about 45% of the nonprofit’s nearly 2,100 registered guests in West Orange County come from Apopka. More than 60% of those transported to the organization’s Winter Garden facility for services are picked up in Apopka, he said.
“Our idea is to have a location here, and rather than transport people over every day, have services available here,” Billue said.
Matthew’s Hope, which operates in Winter Garden and Cocoa, provides services including health care, mental health care, laundry, a Montessori preschool and transitional housing. The nonprofit began in 2010 with a $75,000 budget, which has since grown to $15 million, Billue said.
Antranette Forbes, city economic development director, said staff contacted 15 nonprofit organizations and service providers between Aug. 25 and Sept. 28 to explore potential partnerships for the proposed resource center.
According to a memo included in the CRA agenda packet, staff subsequently met with three organizations: Christian Life Center, Loaves & Fishes and Matthew’s Hope.
The CRA is exploring a public-private partnership because, although it can acquire property and fund construction, it cannot cover ongoing maintenance and administration costs, Forbes said.
The CRA previously approved an agreement for the potential acquisition of vacant property at 205 E. Eighth St. As of Nov. 2, staff was awaiting the seller’s signature before proceeding with a boundary survey, environmental assessment and title examination, according to the memo.
City staff also reviewed the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, which estimated 1,979 individuals experiencing homelessness across Orange County, including 667 unsheltered individuals and 1,312 living in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
Forbes said staff could not obtain a comprehensive Apopka-specific count despite contacting several agencies.
During the discussion, CRA member John Drago raised concerns about families experiencing homelessness, mental illness and the coordination of services.
“The services that were provided by organizations tend to be fragmented,” Drago said, referring to his experience working for another city.
Drago also discussed the challenges of serving individuals who have difficulty following rules in housing programs.
Billue disagreed with the suggestion that people choose homelessness, emphasizing the role mental health conditions can play in their circumstances.
“I want to really kill that false narrative that someone chooses to be homeless,” Billue said.
Matthew’s Hope evaluates individuals seeking assistance and provides mental health services, Billue said. The nonprofit also maintains partnerships with AdventHealth and Orlando Health, whose representatives serve on its board.
Billue discussed the organization’s sleeper-bus program, which provides overnight accommodations for people experiencing homelessness.
The Apopka City Council approved the city’s participation in June 2025, followed by Orange County commissioners’ approval of a one-year contract exceeding $787,000 that December.
Matthew’s Hope had anticipated launching the program in Apopka during the second quarter of 2026. At the Nov. 12 meeting, Billue discussed testing a bus in Brevard County but did not confirm when regular service in Apopka would begin.
CRA member Yesenia Baron asked how a potential resource center would address loitering and people with serious mental health needs. Billue described the organization’s evaluations, behavioral expectations and mental health referrals.
CRA Chair Nick Nesta emphasized that the presentation was informational.
“There’s no official ask today,” Nesta said.
No partnership agreement or funding arrangement was approved Thursday, Nov. 12.