Chuck Busch has only been in Columbus about 8 months but he and S.E.E. (Southeast Enterprise Group, LLC.) are already making a difference in housing for those who are trying to make better lives for themselves.

When he first started as Director of Sales and Marketing, S.E.E. was like most other companies, just renting houses and leasing commercial property and land. Chuck saw something more and changed the direction to “S.E.E. the American Dream.” With a new red, white and blue logo and slogan, he is working to both improve the company’s properties and provide housing for those in need.

“I saw struggling families, and homeless families looking for housing,” he recalls and points out that there is more need than there is affordable housing in Columbus. He particularly remembers a mother and three children living out of their car. So he looked for how he and the real estate leasing company could help.

Since S.E.E. represents more than a hundred lower income housing units, Chuck started working with area charities such as Homeless resources network and Valley Interfaith Promise and many others. , Now S.E.E. matches those coming out of the system with homes they could afford. Many of the housing units were vacant and subject to vandalism. By creating occupancy, Chuck found crime in an area could be reduced. So he lowered rents for those referred by the charities and assists the families with their transition. The neighborhoods are improving and the families are thriving.

Chuck and S.E.E. didn’t stop there. They sought furniture donations and using a vacant warehouse they stored the contributions which they now use to furnish the homes they rent. In addition, they empower the women who are single heads of households by giving them instructions in simple maintenance.

“The goal is to give everyone a roof over their head,” Chuck explains and S.E.E. is well on the way to helping accomplish that.