The Salvation Army in Lakeland has nearly completed construction on a $12 million project for homeless families.

The George W. Jenkins Community of Hope is located off of Kathleen road in North Lakeland.

The Salvation Army currently has a program for families with children at its facilities on Massachusetts Avenue, but it doesn't really have the property to expand.

The first phase of the George W. Jenkins Community of Hope will include a short-term emergency style center for families. It can hold up to 60 people who don't need long-term help. It will also include 21 apartments for families who might stay for up to two years.

The long-term program is designed to teach the families life skills while they get back on their feet.

"We bring in people that can help them with financing. We bring in people that help them with interviewing for a job," said Salvation army Major Ken Morris. "How to dress for a job. How to cook. How to handle anger management. How to be parents." 

One of the families that will likely move into the new gated neighborhood that includes a day care are the Browns.

Ebony Brown and her husband Kelvin and their two young boys live in a very small apartment at the Salvation Army's current location. It's in a part of town with a lot of homeless single men and women who have substance abuse problems.

"It's very hard," said Ebony Brown about her family's difficult situation. "You have to explain to your kids what's going on."

She believes the new neighborhood style complex will be better suited for a family.

"Fresh new start. Fresh new everything. Maybe it'll improve the minds of everybody coming in," Brown said.

That mindset change is something The Salvation Army is hoping for too. It still needs to raise a half million dollars towards a million dollar matching fund.

The Salvation Army will move from its current facilities when the Jenkins project is completed. It has sold its current location to the city of Lakeland.