LAKELAND, Fla. –The Lakeland Housing Authority reports that only three units are available for every 10 families who apply for low-income housing.
City officials state that they are making steady progress in addressing the housing shortage, with 17 affordable housing developments completed, totaling more than 1,000 units.
The latest developments are Swan Landing and Swan Lake Village by Blue Sky Communities, both of which are affiliates of Community-Assisted and Supported Living (CASL). These developments combine on-site behavioral health services, counseling and financial assistance.
“Initially, most of our residents come from homelessness, so there’s a lot of trauma there. I can’t imagine living on the streets for 10 years. So when you give when you’re afforded an apartment, it’s a lifestyle change. So there’s a lot of changes they have to make,” said CASL Central Florida Regional Manager Taylor Thomas. “They have to adapt, and that’s something we help them with. We help them to adapt to their surroundings.”
Swan Landing includes 39 one-bedroom units, 45 two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units, totaling 88 apartments for local families. Rents range between $430 to $1,590 a month for those making 30%-80% of AMI. Amenities include a clubhouse with a lounge, leasing offices, fitness center, swimming pool and a playground.
Swan Lake Village has 84 units consisting of 48 one-bedrooms and 36 two-bedrooms with rents ranging from between $573 to $1,032 a month for those making 40%-60% of AMI. Forty two units are for Permanent Supportive Housing for persons with a disability.
Affordable Housing Community supports artists
Actor Edwin Watson expresses fulfilment in transitioning from corporate America to the stage, calling it a dream come true.
He has had steady work for the last decade with roles in ‘Smoky Joe’s Cafe’, ‘Fences’, ‘Crowns’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
“It was a wonderful experience being on that stage,” said Watson.
Watson left Lakeland, his home base, and traveled often for shows. In between acting jobs, he secured short-term leases. He says this arrangement worked out for him until the pandemic.
“I returned to find that the rent had doubled in my apartment and tripled in other places,” Watson said. “Since my salary wasn’t three times the rent, I couldn’t afford it.”
Watson mentioned that pandemic closures also affected the performing arts industry and that he struggled to find work. He was able to secure affordable housing with community assistance and supported living.
“This is my home recording studio,” he reveals a closet with his audio equipment.
Watson went from experiencing homelessness to having a two-bedroom apartment where he can also work doing voice-overs.
It provides extra income that is helpful when he is not on the stage.
He mentioned that there are some misconceptions about people in affordable housing programs.
“That people aren’t working, that people aren’t trying, you know, that they’re just relying on the government. And it’s not that. It’s that everybody has priced us out,” he added.
He says the life of an actor is unpredictable, but he now has some stability through secure housing.
The city of Lakeland contributed $1.5 million and Polk County gave $2.1 million to bring the Swan Lake Village and Swan Landing communities online.
Fadia Patterson
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