Scott Billue, Founder and CEO, Matthew's Hope
From Matthew's Hope and Staff Reports
In Summary:
Matthew’s Hope says many common beliefs about homelessness — including assumptions about laziness, addiction, and criminality — are inaccurate and harmful. Executive Director Scott Billue, who experienced homelessness himself decades ago, says trauma, mental health struggles, job loss, and personal tragedy are often the real causes. The organization now serves more than 1,100 people weekly while expanding workforce training and mobile shelter programs in Central Florida.
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Homelessness is often discussed through stereotypes — lazy, criminal, addicted, or unwilling to work. But according to leaders at Matthew's Hope, those assumptions overlook the reality people living on the streets face.
For Founder and CEO Scott Billue, the issue is deeply personal.
“Forty years ago, when I myself was homeless, along with over 20 years working with the homeless, I have never met anyone who chose to be that way,” Billue said. “It wasn’t in the plan.”
Related: Matthew's Hope receives Orange County CDBG grant.
Matthew’s Hope, which serves more than 1,100 people weekly in Apopka, Winter Garden, and throughout Central Florida, is working to challenge what it calls some of the most persistent myths surrounding homelessness while focusing on long-term solutions that help people regain stability and self-sufficiency.
One of the most common misconceptions, Billue said, is that homeless individuals are criminals. In reality, he argues, they are far more likely to become victims than perpetrators because of their vulnerability.
“Any laws they break are typically crimes of need,” he said.
Another stereotype is that all homeless individuals struggle with addiction or alcoholism. Billue says addiction is often a consequence of homelessness rather than the cause. Mental illness, untreated trauma, loss of employment, or the death of a loved one can push people into crisis, and many eventually turn to self-medication after becoming homeless.
He also disputes the belief that homeless people are unwilling to work.
“Many are employed, doing the jobs none of us want to do,” Billue said, pointing to overnight cleaning crews, security work, and other late-night labor that often goes unnoticed.
According to Matthew’s Hope, homelessness affects people from all educational and professional backgrounds. Over the years, the organization says it has served former teachers, nurses, engineers, and other highly educated individuals who found themselves unable to recover financially after layoffs, health issues, or personal tragedies.
The organization also highlights the practical realities many overlook.
“Of course they’re dirty,” Billue said. “They have little to no access to showers, toilets, washing machines, sinks, and personal hygiene that most of us take for granted.”
While some assume homeless individuals simply refuse available services, Matthew’s Hope says resources in Central Florida remain severely limited. Shelters have operated at or near capacity for years, and many are not free. Beds can cost several dollars per night, with additional costs for meals and basic services.
To address that gap, Matthew’s Hope has expanded its mobile outreach efforts through sleeper buses that provide temporary shelter.
“Each bus sleeps twenty people in real beds with coil spring mattresses,” Billue said. “Brevard County already has three, and we just got approval for our first in Orange County.”
The organization says the focus must remain on solutions rather than punishment. Billue pointed to a Seminole County Sheriff’s Office study estimating incarceration costs between $45,000 and $55,000 annually per inmate, arguing that workforce training and rehabilitation programs cost significantly less while producing better long-term outcomes.
“The goal is always to train people to become self-sufficient,” Billue said. “Currently, one man is in HVAC training, two in plumbing, and two in electrical.”
Matthew’s Hope operates on an annual budget of roughly $15 million, with only 6.2% coming from taxpayer funding, according to the organization.
For Billue, changing public perception is part of solving the larger issue.
“It’s time we see homelessness for the tragic circumstance that it is and concentrate our energies on looking for solutions,” he said. “These are not a bunch of lazy freeloaders, criminals, addicts, unemployed and uneducated people trying to game the system. They are symptoms of a problem we can all help solve together.”
Key Points:
- Matthew’s Hope says homelessness is rarely a choice and is often tied to trauma, loss, or financial hardship.
- The organization argues that homeless individuals are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators.
- Many homeless individuals are employed in overnight or low-visibility jobs.
- Matthew’s Hope serves more than 1,100 people weekly and receives only 6.2% of its funding from taxpayers.
- The organization is expanding mobile shelter services through sleeper buses approved for use in Orange County.
Editor's note: Scott Billue's title was corrected from "Executive Director" to "Founder and CEO" on May 8, 2026.
