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Tag: APP Affordable Housing

  • Ground broken on rare 100% affordable housing community in Largo

    LARGO, Fla. — With housing costs continuing to climb across Pinellas County, local leaders say a new development now underway could help some working families stay in the community.

    What You Need To Know

    • Crews officially broke ground Tuesday on Olea on 126, a 144-unit apartment complex in Largo where every unit will be reserved for lower-income residents — something officials say is increasingly uncommon.

    • The project is expected to cost about $55 million, including $7.92 million from the Penny for Pinellas fund.

    • County leaders say the project targets workers who are increasingly being priced out of Pinellas County.

    • Construction is expected to be completed in June 2027.


    Crews officially broke ground Tuesday at Olea on 126, a 144-unit apartment complex in Largo where every unit will be reserved for lower-income residents — something officials say is increasingly uncommon.

    Not only does Largo see few new affordable housing developments, but projects where all apartments are income-restricted are even rarer.

    The complex will include two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments designed for families. Units will be set aside based on area median income (AMI):

    • 35 units for households earning up to 40% AMI

    • 72 units for households earning up to 60% AMI

    • 38 units for households earning up to 80% AMI

    County leaders say the project targets workers who are increasingly being priced out of Pinellas County.

    “We have so many folks that are trying to work in this community, whether they’re teachers, whether they’re hospitality workers, first responders, whatever. A wide range of folks looking for housing, a place to call home,” said Dave Eggers, Pinellas County Board of County Commission Chair. 

    Officials say without more housing options, many workers are forced to move to neighboring counties — and sometimes leave the workforce locally altogether.

    “So yeah, it’s a unique one. Many of them are 100% AMI of 80%. So it’s a little higher income threshold. This (Olea on 126) is a lower income threshold and really goes to the heart of some of the workers right here in Pinellas who are struggling to find a place, in fact, have to go to Pasco County or live somewhere else. And eventually we lose those workers,” Eggers added. 

    Cost and funding

    The project is expected to cost about $55 million, including $7.92 million from the Penny for Pinellas fund.

    Instead of a traditional retention pond, developers are installing an underground stormwater system designed to reduce flooding while freeing up land for housing and parking. Similar systems have been used in Orlando, Jacksonville and Fort Myers.

    “It takes away the water from the streets, the surface streets where everyone is walking and driving, where it’s going to keep it underground and out of sight, out of mind,” said stormwater consultant Mike Nester. 

    County officials say the project shows that affordable housing can still include modern infrastructure.

    “These projects are not easy to make work. So our County Commission and our residents have said affordable housing is important,” added Eggers. 

    Construction is expected to be completed in June 2027.

    Once finished, the development will provide family-sized units — one of the hardest types of affordable housing to find in the region.

    Project rendering

    Fadia Patterson

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  • Former lumber yard site to offer affordable housing in St. Petersburg

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new affordable housing community is coming to St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District, and city leaders say a state law designed to speed up housing development helped make it possible.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Fairfield Avenue Apartments — a 264-unit community — officially broke ground Wednesday on land with more than 50 years of local history

    • City officials say the project is moving forward using Florida’s House Bill 1339, which allows qualifying affordable housing developments to be approved administratively on industrial-zoned land, significantly reducing approval timelines

    • City leaders say the Fairfield Avenue Apartments will add hundreds of affordable housing units within close proximity to downtown jobs and transit once construction is completed


    The Fairfield Avenue Apartments — a 264-unit community — officially broke ground Wednesday on land with more than 50 years of local history.

    The property once housed Tibbetts Lumber and, before that, Cox Lumber — businesses that helped build much of the surrounding city.

    “My grandfather immigrated here in the 1940s, (and) had bought a little tiny lumber company,” said Jeff Brandes of the Tibbetts-Brandes family. “(Those businesses) really grew this community and grew along with it and helped build many of the houses that you and I live in today.”

    Over the years, the site has served several purposes — starting as an orange grove, later becoming a Seaboard rail line, and eventually operating as a lumber yard. Now, it will be transformed into housing intended for working residents priced out of living near their jobs.

    Brandes said conversations with local hospitals highlighted the need.

    “I was talking to the leadership of the hospitals and at All Children’s in Bayfront and talking about how what a struggle they were finding for housing some of their employees that were making $20 or $30 an hour, but they still couldn’t find a place to live anywhere near downtown Saint Petersburg,” he said.

    City officials say the project is moving forward using Florida’s House Bill 1339, which allows qualifying affordable housing developments to be approved administratively on industrial-zoned land, significantly reducing approval timelines.

    “Now, the state passed legislation a few years ago to permit the development of affordable housing on industry zoned land like this. And St. Pete, again, was the first city to take advantage of that opportunity,” said Mayor Ken Welch.

    Brandes, who founded the Florida Policy Project, said seeing the project move from policy to reality is meaningful.

    “Well, it’s exciting to be able to talk to people, not somebody who’s theoretical, but who’s doing it practically, too,” he said. “I mean, it’s great to be part of that process. And knowing the struggles of putting a development like this together, but also the looks on people’s faces when they get their keys for the for the for their apartments. That’s what I’m really excited about.”

    City leaders say the Fairfield Avenue Apartments will add hundreds of affordable housing units within close proximity to downtown jobs and transit once construction is completed.

    Fadia Patterson

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  • Average age of first-time homebuyers at all-time high

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The National Association of Realtors reports the average age of first-time homebuyers is at an all-time high at age 40. The association also says the share of first-time homebuyers has hit a historic low of 21%.

    Twenty-year-old Christina Copelan is bucking that national trend. She bought her Clearwater home a few months ago when she was 19.

    “It feels really great, like, I am very proud of myself,” said Copelan.

    Graduating from high school at age 15, she said becoming a homeowner was an early goal. She works as a personal assistant for a property manager and a financial services company and started saving soon after graduation.

    “The biggest thing was living at home with my parents. I think because I didn’t have many bills. But yeah, really, really saving and being super frugal,” said Copelan, who was able to close on her home in a couple of years. She and her family are now renovating it themselves.

    “Instead of just buying it and living in it. I get to, you know, put something into it instead of just occupying it,” said Copelan, who enjoys adding her personal touch.

    She is not the norm, according to recent numbers released from the National Association of Realtors.

    The association adds that the all-time high age of 40 for first-time homebuyers can create a trickle-down effect on personal finances.

    “Delayed or denied homeownership until age 40 instead of 30 can mean losing roughly $150,000 in equity on a typical starter home,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer.

    Liane Jamason has been in real estate for 18 years and has responded to the shift.

    “I think it’s because we’re having some affordability problems and also interest rates being a little bit higher may have skewed that number a little bit,” said Jamason.

    The broker owns Corcoran Dwellings in St. Petersburg, and while she acknowledges the national trend, she said that she and her agents are seeing a different trend in local first-time buyers.

    “We’re seeing really closer to low twenties to low thirties here,” said Jamason.

    “I mean it’s a young vibe here and especially in downtown St Pete, so I think people love that and really want to get in while they can.”

    And with a market Jamason describes as steady, buyers of all ages are aiming to get closer to closing on a home of their own.

    “It’s very it’s very cool to tell other people like my age that is possible,” said Copelan, who is also a landlord and rents the other half of her duplex. She hopes to inspire the younger generation of future homeowners.

    Melissa Eichman

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  • New report may shape solutions for Tampa Bay’s housing crisis

    TAMPA, Fla. — Housing affordability issues in the Tampa Bay area are nothing new, but the Tampa Bay Partnership is hoping its recently released regional housing affordability report will help bring about solutions now and in the future for residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Tampa Bay Partnership recently released the regional housing affordability report and is hoping it will help bring about solutions now and in the future for residents

    • According to the report, median rent surged nearly 50% in five years, while wages rose nearly 30%

    • Tampa Bay is projected to add 564,000 residents and 211,000 households by 2035, a surge that will reshape housing needs

    • Yet, recent production hasn’t kept pace, according to the research


    The 137-page report is called The Housing Equation, Supply, Demand & Affordability in the Tampa Bay Region. The report focused on Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

    Sarah Burgoyne is a senior director with the Tampa Bay Partnership. She said leaders had been asking for the data that examines past, present and future housing prices.

    “This report was made possible with funding from J.P Morgan and Chase, and it allowed the partnership to hire a team of researchers to provide data that our leaders in the community had been asking for,” Burgoyne said.

    According to the report, median rent surged nearly 50% in five years, while wages rose nearly 30%.

    Homes under $200K made up 30% of sales in 2019 and dropped to just 5% in 2022. Tampa Bay is projected to add 564,000 residents and 211,000 households by 2035, a surge that will reshape housing needs.

    Yet, recent production hasn’t kept pace. The research shows that between 2018 and 2023, the region added nearly 100,000 households but built only 82,000 units, fueling rising costs and widening affordability gaps.

    When looking to the future, the report details that by 2035, the region needs to add approximately 254,700 new housing units, an average of 21,225 units per year, to keep pace with projected growth. That includes 10,685 single-family units and 10,540 multifamily units annually.

    One of the possible solutions is a regional action plan and a regional action plan committee. Community input is also needed. The Tampa Bay Partnership is hosting a webinar Feb. 5, from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. Click here and scroll down the page to register.

    Saundra Weathers

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  • Haines City breaks ground on $30 million affordable senior housing

    HAINES CITY, Fla. — City and church leaders celebrated the groundbreaking of a new affordable senior housing community on Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Haines City and Trinity Worship Center broke ground on Trinity Village, a nearly $30 million affordable senior housing community

    • Rents will range from about $300 to $1,400, aiming to serve residents earning $17,000 to $55,000 a year

    • Trinity Village is expected to open by the end of next year


    The future Trinity Village will sit just behind Trinity Worship Center Church. Bishop Charles Anderson says the facility has been in the works for about 10 years. Despite obstacles along the way, he says he and his wife, Dr. Judith Anderson, continued to hold on to their faith.

    “I believed and knew that God had given us a vision to do it. And I just kept going back and kept going back, and here we are today,” Bishop Anderson said.

    With the help of community partners, the couple broke ground on the 102-unit facility. Anderson says the complex is designed to support seniors’ needs, featuring a pool, clubhouse and a range of on-site services.

    “We want them to be able to retire in dignity and live in a place they can be safe and proud of,” he said. “And I believe we owe it to those who have invested in our country and our communities to give back.”

    Mitchell Rosenstein, principal developer with Green Mills Group, says that belief is reflected in the community’s rent, which will range from about $300 to about $1,400. Leaders say more than 50% of Haines City residents pay more than 30% of their income for housing.

    “Those rents that are actually affordable — actually affordable for people earning 17,000 to 55,000 dollars,” Rosenstein said.

    Bishop Anderson says none of this would have been possible without city and federal contributions. Now, he and his wife are looking forward to building the nearly $30 million development on the same soil where they planted their church.

    “Pursuing the dream,” Dr. Anderson said.

    Trinity Village is expected to open by the end of next year. The Andersons say they plan to start accepting applications next June.

    Alexis Jones

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  • Realtor.com: Florida leads the U.S. in foreclosures

    SEMINOLE, Fla. — According to Realtor.com, foreclosures are increasing across the country. 

    And while things still aren’t as bad as the 2008 housing crisis, experts say it would not be a surprise if rates continue to go up. 

    What You Need To Know

    • According to Realtor.com, Tampa has the highest foreclosure rates in October among metro populations with more than 1 million people, with 1 in every 1,373 housing units 

    • The site says foreclosures have been on the rise across the country for eight months 

    • Data shows that Florida has the highest number of foreclosures in the U.S. 


    According to Realtor.com, they’ve been increasing for the last eight months, with Florida leading the pack. 

    Luis Bedoya, a licensed real estate agent with Charles Rutenberg Realty, showed Spectrum News a Seminole home that he described as a failed project. He is now helping the owner find another buyer to take it over as a short sale. 

    He said projects like this are becoming more common, especially in Tampa Bay.

    “There’s been a doubling in the amount of short sales and foreclosures since the beginning of 2025,” Bedoya said. “It’s just been doubling in the last three months alone.”

    Realtor.com said in an article that Tampa has the highest foreclosure rates in October among metro populations with more than 1 million people, with 1 in every 1,373 housing units. 

    Data shows that in places like Lakeland and Ocala, it’s worse — Lakeland is 1 in every 470, and Ocala is 1 in every 665. 

    University of South Florida economics professor Michael Snipes said it is unusual for foreclosures to increase eight months in a row. He said it hasn’t happened since 2008, but emphasized that things are not close to the severity of that year.

    “I don’t think we should be surprised if we see foreclosure numbers continue to go up,” he said.  

    Snipes said there are several reasons this could be happening, and points toward the higher number of people who live on fixed incomes in the state.

    “HOA fees are going up, insurance fees are going up,” he said. “So, when you have all of these things affecting a population, that may not necessarily have a whole lot of income coming in on a fixed income, that’s definitely something that’s going to lead to a lot more foreclosures.” 

    Despite the number of foreclosures, Bedoya said it’s dependent on the area, adding that there are still many people looking for homes.

    “It’s also creating an opportunity for the informed investor, for the buyers that are looking to find properties in distress that they can then renovate, sell for a profit,” he said. “And it brings new families to the community.”

    Snipes said he does not expect housing prices to go down or stay the same despite the foreclosures. 

    Matt Lackritz

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  • People aging out of foster care get help thanks to new law

    ST PETERSBURG, Fla. — “Yes, in God’s backyard.” That was the push for a bill that recently went into effect this summer.

    It allows churches to use their property to develop affordable housing, regardless of zoning restrictions.

    A local nonprofit is using that model to tackle the issue of homelessness and affordable housing for young people aging out of foster care.

    What You Need To Know

    • Nonprofit organization Spring Zone St. Pete is using the Yes in God’s Backyard house bill as the model to tackle the issue of homelessness and affordable housing for young people aging out of foster care

      •  

    • They will be providing housing on the land of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist in St. Pete

    • The project is expected to be completed within the next two years and some of the people who will live in the units will also get a chance to help with the building and construction process

    • RELATED: ‘Yes, In God’s Backyard’ bill part of proposed affordable housing solution


    Graduation, homemade desserts and a culinary career in the making are what 20-year-old Lexi Allison does have. But it’s what she’s had to face after aging out of foster care that’s always top of mind.

    “Homelessness, unemployment, a mental battle, jail. Like I know a lot of people just struggling and constantly going to jail. That’s another thing that not having somewhere stable can cause,” Allison said. “One thing I realized when I didn’t have nowhere to go it was either hard to keep a job, it’s hard to think about your next step when you’re not even in the place you want to be, or be in a place you want to live in or feel comfortable at.”

    That’s the kind of information Christopher Warren with the nonprofit, Spring Zone St. Pete, said they took into account when they came up with a plan to help solve the housing issue for young people.

    “The Yes in God’s Backyard house bill that passed has been a tremendous blessing in this effort. The ability for us to be able to provide housing, but provide housing on church property, is amazing. It’s essential to success because what we need is community,” Warren said. “When it’s fully developed, we’ve got ten units with two young people in each unit. They each have their own room, which was something I wanted to make sure they had, because in the foster system they can be three, four, five — sometimes six to a room.”

    He said each unit will be equipped with the comforts of home and a house of worship on the same property.

    Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Senior Pastor G. Gregg Murray said his church is excited about leasing their land for this housing.

    “Here at Mt. Zion, we want to make sure that whatever we do with our land, we be about ministry,” Murray said.

    At Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist in St. Pete, Murray said their focus is on ministry that makes a difference in the lives of their members and members of a community that’s often forgotten.

    “For foster children who have aged out of the program between the ages of 18 to 23, and we know that’s a time they get displaced and somehow, they disappear into the community, they’re no longer getting services,” he said.

    Pastor Murray is also a social worker. And for his wife, Pauline, working with foster children is part of her life’s work.

    “Working with foster children for pretty much all my life and supervisor of a foster care program here in Pinellas County,” Pauline said. “When you get a child that’s aging out of foster care and coming into an independent living program, they need a lot of wrap-around services. They need a lot of love and attention — you’re their parent. And the same thing you would do with your children, you do with those children.”

    A handful of other churches have also signed on to help with the affordable housing crisis hitting this vulnerable population. It’s something Allison says she can only be thankful for.

    “Yeah, that’s all God’s work,” she said.

    The project is expected to be completed within the next two years. Some of those young people who will live in the units will also get a chance to help with the building and construction process.

    Saundra Weathers

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  • Making homeownership more affordable

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In recent weeks, mortgage rates have gotten to their lowest level in about a year, according to mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac.

    “I never thought I would be able to afford a home,” Michelle Senghore said, but now she owns a two-bedroom house.

    What You Need To Know

    • Many different federal, state and local programs are available to help first-time homebuyers

    • The nonprofit NACA helps qualified buyers to purchase a home with no downpayment and no closing costs

    • First-time homebuyers can be overwhelmed by the amount of information about the process, says Townebank Mortgage loan officer Stacy Kinsey

    • Even if you have owned a home in the past, you may be considered a first-time buyer if it was more than three years ago, Kinsey says  

    “I love the environment. It’s a quiet community, and it’s a small house. It’s cozy, it’s warm and I feel secure and safe here,” Senghore said.

    She went through a program called NACA. It’s a nonprofit that allows qualified buyers to purchase a home with no downpayment and no closing costs. 

    NACA also has financial counseling, which can help with the homebuying process.

    “There’s just so much information thrown at us every day, online, that I think it just becomes overwhelming in that case. If you’ve got a person to help you and guide you, has done this a time or two, that’s the best thing to do,” says Stacy Kinsey, a senior loan officer at Townebank Mortgage.

    Kinsey says there are many different federal, state and local homebuying assistance programs. 

    “A lot of times you can pair those together and kind of layer and take advantage of all of that,” Kinsey said.

    There’s an FHA loan, where buyers pay as little as 3.5% of the purchase price.

    There’s also a program through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency that provides $15,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

    “A lot of people assume you’re only a first-time homebuyer once, but the way that we prove that you’re a first-time homebuyer is by collecting the last three years of tax returns to show that there’s mortgage interest,” Kinsey said. “So if you haven’t owned a home in three years, then you’re considered a first time homebuyer.” 

    No matter what program you take advantage of, at the end of the day, Senghore says this help is important.

    “Everybody deserves to be a homeowner, to have a certain level of security. You feel at home in your own house,” Senghore said.

    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • Cedar Cove breaks ground in Bradenton

    BRADENTON, Fla. — A new affordable housing development in Manatee County is giving families a fresh start. Cedar Cove, a partnership between Tampa-based developer Blue Sky Communities and Sarasota nonprofit Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL), officially broke ground Wednesday in Bradenton.

    What You Need To Know

    • Cedar Cove, a partnership between Tampa-based developer Blue Sky Communities and Sarasota nonprofit Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL), officially broke ground Wednesday in Bradenton

    • The project will bring 80 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes to 600 Orlando Ave. The community is designed for families emerging from homelessness, with CASL providing on-site support services for 40 families, many with school-aged children

    • Cedar Cove is expected to open in 2026


    The project will bring 80 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes to 600 Orlando Ave. The community is designed for families emerging from homelessness, with CASL providing on-site support services for 40 families, many with school-aged children.

    County leaders say the project represents a major step forward in addressing the region’s growing housing needs — and it’s made possible in part by Manatee County’s Livable Manatee program.

    Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says the program helps make affordable housing developments like Cedar Cove financially feasible.

    “We charge impact fees for all new development. However, for affordable, that’s very difficult because the economics are very thin,” Kruse said. “Livable Manatee essentially pays the impact fees on behalf of affordable housing projects in exchange for them providing lower-level AMI — in this case, 80% or below — and keeping those units affordable for 30 to 50 years.”

    By offsetting those upfront costs, Livable Manatee encourages developers to build housing that remains affordable for decades.

    This is the fourth project Blue Sky Communities has broken ground on this year. The developer completed three other affordable housing projects earlier in 2025, reflecting a growing partnership between the private and public sectors.

    Blue Sky Communities President Shawn Wilson says the company’s success comes from collaboration with local governments and nonprofit agencies.

    “To bring maximum benefits to residents, we partner with nonprofits that have case managers and access to other resources — that really ensures families are successful,” Wilson said.

    He adds that developing affordable housing is “a labor of love” that takes more time and effort than traditional real estate projects — but one that’s deeply rewarding.

    Cedar Cove has been in planning since 2019. Once complete, the development will feature three residential buildings, a clubhouse, green space and ample parking.

    Commissioners say projects like this reflect Manatee County’s ongoing commitment to making housing attainable for working families, seniors and residents in crisis.

    Cedar Cove is expected to open in 2026.

    Fadia Patterson

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  • More affordable housing opens in Durham with a new look

    DURHAM, N.C. — Some affordable housing units in the Bull City are getting a makeover.

    The Durham Housing Authority reopened the Vanguard Apartments and recently broke ground on the Dillard Street Apartments. It’s an effort to open up more affordable housing opportunities while also creating a new vision for what these communities can look like.

    What You Need To Know

    • Durham Housing Authority reopened Vanguard Apartments in May

    • The $200 million redevelopement project will replace 214 old unites with 538 mixed-income homes

    • 21 Vanguard units are set aside for former residents

    • The next phase, Commerce Street Apartments, is expected to open in 2026 with 172 units


    Inside her newly developed apartment at the Vanguard, Bianca Rivera says it’s finally setting in that this is her space to call home.

    “I’ve been sitting outside on the patio and just enjoying it,” Rivera said as she reflected on the new space she now shares with her 10-year-old son, Micah.

    Rivera and her son previously lived at Liberty Street Apartments before moving to Oxford Manor to live temporarily as the city made space for new developments.

     She says that she and her family can now feel safe.

    “There was trash all over the place, and me coming here and not seeing trash all over the place, not seeing drug activity or gun violence,” she explained, “so far, that has made a big change in our lives.”

    The Vanguard Apartments just reopened after a major renovation as part of Durham Housing Authority’s efforts to build what’s officials hope will be vibrant, mixed-income communities. 

    The $200-million redevelopment project began with two aging properties downtown.

    It’s a four-phase project. In all, 214 units will be replaced with 538 new homes, 348 being affordable and 190 being market rate. Twenty-one units are prioritized for former residents like Rivera.

    Interim CEO of DHA Anthony Snell says this project and others to come reflect the importance of building safe, beautiful and affordable homes for people no matter the socioeconomic status.

    “I know people think it’s innovative and it’s a model, right? We are just building communities that are totally inclusive of the entire community,” Snell said. “And so, that’s where we think we’re going to have our success.”

    The need for more affordable housing is urgent.

    In a recent National Low Income Housing Coalition report, it found that there are over 330,000 extremely low-income households in North Carolina. For every 100 of them, there are only 41 affordable rental homes available.

    For Rivera, the move is more than just about having a new space. It has allowed her to dream big.

    “It has helped me grow into wanting more and bigger and better living in the future,” she said.

    The first phase, the Vanguard, officially opened in May with 72 new homes. The next step is the Commerce Street Apartments, where construction began in July 2024. It is expected to open in 2026 with 172 units for both seniors and families. Phases three and four will add nearly 300 more units for individuals and families.

    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Former Durham hotel transformed into affordable housing

    DURHAM, N.C. — Have you ever driven by an empty building and wondered what it used to be used for? All across the country people are getting resourceful to try to make something new out of older buildings.

    A former extended-stay hotel near Research Triangle Park now has a new purpose. The building has been converted into six dozen affordable housing apartments, now called The Pines Apartments, as a way to help people who both live and work in Durham.

    What You Need To Know

    • A former extended-stay hotel near research Triangle Park has been transformed into 72 apartments

    • Rent ranges from $950–$1,100 per month with utilities included

    • Durham currently has the highest fair market rent in North Carolina at $1,872 for a two-bedroom unit



    For new tenant Teddy Pugh this new space means more than just a place to live, it’s a space to bond with his grandson.

    “Everything’s brand new. The kitchen, all the appliances, the bathroom. You know, it’s nice having a bathroom nobody’s used but you,” he said.

    According to North Carolina Housing Coalition, Durham has the highest fair market rent in the state, averaging at $1,872 for a two-bedroom apartment.

    Pugh said affordable housing isn’t just about shelter, it’s about stability. 

    Reinvestment Partners, a stakeholder in the project said the goal is to create workforce housing for residents. 

    “We’re really trying to make it workforce housing for Durham residents who want to live here and work here. So, it’s a big endeavor. In a moment in Durham where we’re seeing a lot of displacement for folks,” said Robert Polanco, director of real estate with Reinvestment Partners. “So, we’re excited to have this opportunity.”

    Across the country more hotels are being converted into affordable housing. A study from the National Association of Realtors says the rising costs of construction and labor are fueling this push, as families struggle to afford everyday life. 

    Peter Skillern, CEO of Reinvestment Partners, said this project is proof it can work. 

    “This makes it possible to have affordable rents. And again, it has no subsidy. This is just what the market will bear. For a group of folks who’ve got choices, where they live, but not infinite choices, this is a good, affordable, safe community,” Skillern said.

    While not big, these units range from 313 to 420 square feet. And rent is between $950 and $1,100 a month, including utilities. That’s well below the statewide average of $1,883 according to Zillow.

    The apartments are designed for individuals or small families earning around 60% of the area’s median income, which is around $81,000 according to Data USA.

    For Pugh he said it can’t get much better then this.

    “If you’re single and you can live in an area like this, you can’t find no better in Durham,” he said.

    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • 6 unit transitional housing complex nearing completion in Clermont

    CLERMONT, Fla. — Staff at New Beginnings of Central Florida in Clermont are working on move-in ready transitional housing, called New Beginnings Village.

    What You Need To Know

    • New Beginnings of Central Florida is finishing up construction on its transitional housing complex

    • Each unit is 670 square feet and has two bedrooms and one bathroom

    • Families do not have to pay to participate, but they have to participate in the program, which can last between six and nine months

    • Construction is expected to finish next month, then applications will open


    Community Relations Manager Jeremy Elliott said staff will connect residents with services as part of their Helping Hands program.

    He said there has been an 18% increase in the number of families in Lake County who are experiencing homelessness for the first time in the past year.

    “They can really focus on serving themselves — working on their things that are going to create longevity, but also savings and financial literacy,” Elliott said.

    The housing is conveniently located at the back of the property, next to the thrift shop.

    Elliott said the goal is to create a safe space in each of their six homes. Each unit is 670 square feet and has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, living space, and an in-unit washer and dryer.

    He told Spectrum News it costs the nonprofit about $22,000 per family, but families do not pay anything as they participate in the program, which can last between six and nine months.

    “You’ve got to want it to be here, because it’s strenuous everyday doing that coursework, really working on yourself,” Elliott said. “It’s a rapid program so that we are able to get you into affordable housing, which is the next step, and open the door for the next family.”

    Elliott said construction is expected to wrap up next month. The total project has cost $1.4 million and was supported by multiple partners, who provided funding and donations to furnish the homes.

    The mission is close to his heart, as Elliott went through the program himself.

    “Being able to come back and walk and see someone else go through that process is emphatically the best gift I could ever see,” said Elliott.

    Applications are not live yet. Staff plan to open them closer to the construction completion date in October.

    Eligibility criteria:

    • Must be 18 or older
    • We serve single women, single mothers, and families (must be married)
    • Children ages 5-12 must be in school (no virtual)
    • Cannot have severe psychiatric issues that would contraindicate communal living with other residents and young children in a residential setting
    • Cannot be taking any controlled medications-prescribed or not
    • Must have a minimum of 6 months abstinence from substance abuse and /or be directly transferred/referred from another residential program
    • Must be willing and physically able to work 40 hours weekly, as this is a work therapy program
    • Willing and able to complete Life Skills Training Curriculum
    • Must be willing to attend church weekly and actively participate in Bible Study and Discipleship Program
    • No active warrants
    • No criminal history of murder, arson, battery, and sexual offenses (Level II)

    Emma Delamo

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  • Lakeland approves plans to demolish affordable housing complex

    LAKELAND, Fla. — The Lakeland Housing Authority is one step closer to bringing new affordable housing for seniors to the area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland commissioners approved plans to tear down a 40-unit affordable housing complex, which has been part of the community since the 1970s
    • The Lakeland Housing Authority plans to replace Carrington Place with a 100-unit senior housing complex as part of a 10-year plan

    • Tenants like Sameria Timmons worry about being displaced, saying current families should benefit from redevelopment


    City commissioners recently approved the agency’s plans for the development, which include demolishing Carrington Place, an affordable multifamily housing complex that has been part of the Lakeland community since the 1970s.

    For the past 14 years, resident Sameria Timmons has spent much of her time outside tending to her garden. The front of her apartment may be small, but for Timmons, keeping it tidy is one way she has made Carrington Place feel like home — a home she says she never thought she would be forced to leave.

    “For people with kids, what are we supposed to do? I have two jobs and I just can’t up and still leave,” she said. “What about somebody who’s living off of disability because they’re sick, what are they supposed to do?”

    The mother of seven is one of many tenants with questions after learning about the Lakeland Housing Authority’s plan to demolish the 40-unit affordable housing complex. While she agrees the community is long overdue for a facelift, she believes current residents should be the ones to benefit from the improvements.

    “If (you’re going to) uplift the community with something new, you wouldn’t of made it an old person’s home,” Timmons said. “You would’ve built this and made it back to where we stand. If you want to build something new, you can build something new, but these people have been out here for years. A lot of people have been out here for years. You can at least put us back in the community then.”

    Ben Stevenson, president and CEO of the Lakeland Housing Authority, said his team is looking to replace Carrington Place with affordable senior housing to help meet the need in the city’s northwest side. He said the potential project is part of the agency’s 10-year plan, which is expected to bring in more than $200 million in redevelopment.

    “We have some other projects to address the multi-family need,” he said. “We said, ‘Let’s go with Carrington Place and make it a senior development,’ because now that the city allows you to go up multiple stories, three/four stories, we think we can do a 100-unit senior complex over there.”

    Stevenson said he understands change can be difficult, but his team will do everything they can to help residents relocate. That includes providing a list of housing options.

    “And we will try to have a combination of let’s say, relocation vouchers from the federal government,” he said. “We’ll also give relocation assistance like paying their security deposit, transfer fees. Also, provide transportation for the families that want to look at all the apartments.”

    In the meantime, Stevenson said the agency has been hosting monthly meetings to keep families informed. But Timmons and her neighbors say that so far, there has only been one.

    “So we’re still going to be clueless until they have the second meeting,” she said.

    The Lakeland Housing Authority still needs approval from the state of Florida and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before it can move forward with the project. Stevenson said he expects to break ground at the Carrington Place site within the next year or two.

    Alexis Jones

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  • Winter Haven adding more multi-family units; business owners benefiting

    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — More people are making the move to Polk County, and that’s driving up the demand for more housing.

    The city of Winter Haven is experiencing that growth, and officials are focusing on bringing more multi-family units to the downtown area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Winter Haven adding more multi-family housing due to growing population

    • About 300 multi-family units are currently constructed in the city

    • Growing population and housing is also having an impact on businesses in downtown

    • Vegan Monarch Bakery and Café is seeing people from all over the country stopping in


    From selling food and sweets at flea markets to now owning a brick-and-mortar location, Mika Altidor said getting here wasn’t easy.

    “I’m first-generation American, first to do many things and first to make this dream a reality,” Altidor said.

    She was born in Michigan but spent most of her life in Winter Haven.

    She has seen just how much the city has grown and transformed over the years.

    “It’s nice to be a part of the change and be a part of development and to have my family be a part of this too,” Altidor said.

    She opened her business, Vegan Monarch Bakery and Café, in 2021, serving vegan meals and treats.

    She said the downtown area has grown over the years, but the most prominent addition has been more housing.

    It is something Altidor said has been positive for her business.

    “We get to see more of that foot traffic,” she said. “We get to see more of that business from the residents and then make that human connection,” she said.

    Right now, Winter Haven has about 300 multi-family units.

    As the city continues to grow, it is also looking to incorporate new housing opportunities like townhomes.

    Eric Labbe is the director of Winter Haven’s Economic Opportunity and Community Investment.

    “We’ve been adding about a thousand units per year within the city limits of the city of Winter Haven,” he said. “That’s total housing, single and multifamily. We will probably continue that trend for a couple years.”

    City leaders say for a community to be considered a healthy one, they need to have 33% to 35% of rental product.

    Winter Haven is on track to meet that percentage with 30% as of right now.

    Altidor and several other business owners have seen the change in the customer base, too.

    “I like the fact that people are driving intentionally from Orlando and Tampa to come here,” she said.

    So that she can continue sharing a taste of her café — always ready to serve new and old customers with a smile.

    Construction is currently underway on the newest apartment complex in downtown Winter Waven.

    The Breeze Apartments is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for residents in the next few months.

    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Manatee companies invest in building new affordable workforce housing complex

    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A new workforce housing project aims to help the affordable housing crisis in Manatee County.

    One Stop Housing is partnering with 12 local companies to build the complex and said that the county has agreed to a $5 million loan that will help with construction costs.

    What You Need To Know

    • One Stop Housing said it will take about three years until Forest Cove is complete
    • S&B Metal Products said it will have seven units available for their employees when the complex is ready

    Creating something from a vision is a skill Neil Sipes has polished.

    He has been a press brake operator at S&B Metal Products in Bradenton for five years and has worked in the industry for more than a decade. Part of his job includes putting pieces of metal together to make a final product.

    “I like the projects that we do. They’re very creative. I have a lot of creative freedom,” he said.

    But when he first moved to Florida, one thing stood out.

    “It is an expensive area,” he explained.

    A dozen companies in Manatee County are investing in a workforce housing complex called Forest Cove that will be built in Bradenton. There will be two five-story buildings with 156 units. Mark Vengroff, the CEO of One Stop Housing, says it’s a way to provide workers with affordable housing and help companies retain employees.

    “A lot of times, a lot of these companies that we’ve been hearing is that they finally find the right candidate. They fly them over (for) the interview, they love the company, they love the job. But then they drive around, they realize, ‘I can’t afford anything on that salary,’” he said.

    One Stop Housing data shows 40% of Sarasota and Manatee County residents are cost burdened, meaning 30% of their total annual salary is spent on housing. The rental rates at Forest Cove would range from just under $1,000 for a studio to nearly $1,700 for a two-bedroom apartment. Sipes is hoping to live in a one-bedroom unit so he can save money.

    “For a year or two years until I can get a down payment on a house,” he said.

    Sipes, like so many, is fighting the rising cost of living. But now his company is fighting too, helping its employees battle the housing crisis.

    One Stop Housing said it will take about three years until Forest Cove is complete. S&B Metal Products said it will have seven units available for their employees when the complex is ready.

    Julia Hazel

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  • Pasco Hope sees residents move into permanent housing

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — In October 2024, Pasco Hope opened their doors to take care of people who lost their homes in the that year’s hurricanes. 

    Taking care of anywhere between 75 to 100 people at a time, director of shelter services Danielle Husband said they’re beginning to move more residents into permanent housing.  

    “We have intakes every week in here, but we also have positive exits, which is also very exciting,” Husband said. “We’ve had about 15 households leave us, now moving into permanent housing, which is absolutely phenomenal to see in such a short amount of time.” 

    Uryana Gonzalez Montijo, one of the residents living at the shelter, lost her home in Hurricane Helene. 

    She said the memories from the night of the hurricane still linger. 

    “I was outside for the longest time before I even went back to my place and could actually walk through and get to my place,” she said.  

    Montijo has settled into her new life,  but is looking forward to something more. 

    She’s expecting to be at the shelter for a few more weeks. 

    Pasco Hope is helping her move into a new place and she can’t wait for a new chapter of her life to begin. 

    “It’s just a blessing,” she said. “I’m just so overjoyed and everything like that. I’ve never had any of stuff that they’re helping me with.”  

    Learn more about Pasco Hope on its website. 

    Matt Lackritz

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  • Bay area residents in underserved communities have few options post-hurricanes

    Bay area residents in underserved communities have few options post-hurricanes

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Communities all over the Tampa Bay area are struggling after the recent hurricanes.

    The storm damage and displacement is a huge blow for people already living in low-income and underserved communities. That’s the reality in south St. Petersburg’s Bartlett Park neighborhood.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hurricane Helene and Milton’s aftermath is a huge blow for people already living in low-income and underserved communities

    • South St. Petersburg’s Bartlett Park neighborhood suffered damages from both storms, from flooding to damaged roofs

    • Some landlords said they’re allowing residents to break their leases and return their deposits due to the storm’s impacts, but it brings little relief to resident Gregory Ruffin and his wife

    • City officials said FEMA has visited the complex, assisting people to move, but some residents say that hasn’t happened for them yet


    It’s a familiar story in the neighborhood. Hurricane Helene flooded the first-floor homes in one apartment complex. Then, Milton flooded the area and damaged the roofs.

    For the people in the Lakeside apartments, that means the affordable housing they desperately need is gone.

    Parts of the roof are on the ground, flood damaged cars are in the parking lot, and piles of debris are scattered around the front of buildings.

    Sadly, it’s where Gregory Ruffin calls home. The apartment he shares with his wife is livable for now. At least for them, it has to be.

    “We’ve just been living in here until we find somewhere to go,” Ruffin said.

    Flood waters from Hurricane Helene are the cause for most of the damage. The waterline inside is as high as the doorknobs. Hurricane Milton’s impacts only added to it.

    “I had a nice apartment. The cabinets, as you can see, they (swelled) up. I don’t know if you can open the back one up,” he said.

    Ruffin managed to clean up his apartment as best he can, but the mold is growing along with the discovery of even more water damage.

    “My sofas were floating, and it got damaged too, but I took pillows out there in the sun and let them dry, and turned the sofas on end and whatever water was on the bottom part of it ran down, and I put the fan on it, and I flipped them up the other way,” said Ruffin.

    He’s on a fixed income and desperate to save what he can.

    “I had to retire because I had prostate cancer surgery. Got that taken care of, but I had other issues. I had to get off the road. I paved roads all around this place. That was my job,” he said.

    With his home destroyed and not many affordable housing options, he’s now trying to get his old job back.

    “The first and last month’s rent. That’s what kills you. If I got rent money, the first and last they throw that in there, and that blows you right out the water. They don’t show compassion,” he said.

    Compassion is what he’s hoping for, but a safe place to stay is what he desperately needs.  

    “I can’t do but so much, man. Hurting, sick. I’m trying but (I’m not) giving up, God is good,” Ruffin said.

    Ruffin’s landlord at Times Square Properties said they’re allowing residents to break their leases and return their deposits. But it brings little relief to Ruffin and his wife.

    When asked what they were doing to help underserved communities, the city of St. Pete said they were offering a list of local programs. City officials also said FEMA has visited the complex, encouraging people to move, because they were providing them with assistance. Some residents say that hasn’t happened for them yet.

    Saundra Weathers

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  • Final vote on Citizens Insurance rate hike proposal

    Final vote on Citizens Insurance rate hike proposal

    FLORIDA — More than a million Floridians could face a major increase in the price of their homeowners insurance.

    Citizens Property Insurance proposed raising its rates by about 14% to reduce the amount of insurance holders by the end of the year — which could increase average prices for policy holders by more than $500.

    The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will meet Monday to decide on whether to approve the proposed rate hike for all personal lines policies.

    That includes homeowners, condominium unit owners, renters, and mobile homes.

    Some insurance companies left the state as rates soared, forcing people to use Citizens — the state insurer of last resort.

    The company says the new rate would be within 20% of private carriers, making some people no longer eligible for Citizens, which would reduce financial risks.

    According to the National Association of Realtors, the state has the highest rates in the nation at nearly $11,000 a year — that’s four times the national average.

    “Secondarily, as those prospective homeowners are facing an even tighter challenge, you look at, say, pre-pandemic monthly costs have more than doubled in just about any fashion. So this only exacerbates the challenges that prospective homeowners face,” said Colin Rice, a Land Use & Real Estate Attorney with Older Lundy.

    The Citizens’ governing board passed the recommendation in June, and it now needs approval by state regulations.

    If approved, the rates would go into effect for renewal policies after Jan. 1, 2025. 

    Destiny Wiggins

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  • Gooden family legacy continues with the 900th ‘Habitat’ home dedication

    Gooden family legacy continues with the 900th ‘Habitat’ home dedication

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Almost 90 years after the Gooden family initially acquired 10 acres in the historic Ridgecrest community, a new generation of families are achieving first-time homeownership on that same land.

    Three more families have built their dream homes with the help of Habitat for Humanity. 

    What You Need To Know

    • With the help of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas, more families have built their dream homes

    • The Gooden family invested $800 in the Ridgecrest community in the 1930s to purchase 10 acres of land in order to help the African American community own homes

    • Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties reached a significant milestone with the completion of Jones’ home — it’s the 900th home the chapter has built

    • Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas says they need to build 85 more homes this year


    “Homeownership is the key to generational wealth,” said Elizabeth Helm-Frazier.

    That has been a key factor in Helm-Frazier’s family for decades. She says her maternal grandparents, Chester and Corrine Gooden, initially invested $800 in the Ridgecrest community in the 1930s to purchase 10 acres of land.

    They came from Ocala. Had big dreams, really thinking outside of the box. What they wanted to do is not only build a home, but also a business, because back then, Black people did not have a lot of options,” said Helm-Frazier.

    The couple also sold land to other families, purchased the first fire truck for the volunteer fire department, and donated land to build the first church for the community.

    Gooden Crossing is named in honor of the couple’s legacy.

    A legacy of homeownership that will continue with Xavier Jones.

    “I’m proud of myself. It took a lot of hard work to get here,” he said.

    The single father of three wants to lead by example for his children.

    Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties reached a significant milestone with the completion of Jones’ home. It’s the 900th home the chapter has built.

    The Gooden’s grandchildren sold their last plots of land to make it possible. Helm-Frazier says her family’s lasting contribution to the historic African American community is the gift of homeownership.

    “It not only teaches wealth, but it teaches the children responsibility in taking care of a home, paying the utilities of a home, and most importantly, pride. I am very proud to be a Ridgecrest kid,” said Helm-Frazier.

    Habitat for Humanity’s Mike Sutton says the project will provide other families with the opportunity to experience the same pride.

    “People are getting priced out of our community left and right. They are leaving out region. They are leaving our state. Any opportunity that we have to partner with a family to anchor them in the area is a big day,” said Sutton.

    Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas says they need to build 85 more homes this year.

    Fadia Patterson

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  • City council approves more funding for South St. Pete home repair program

    City council approves more funding for South St. Pete home repair program

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously Thursday to boost how much money South St. Pete residents can get through a home improvement program, meant to help residents particularly hard-hit by lack of affordable housing.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg City Council approved an increase to the maximum award that can be received for home rehabilitation through the Affordable Single-Family Homeownership Program from $45,000 – $60,000

    • Members also approved the creation of the Rapid Roof Replacement sub-program

    • The programs are available to people who live in the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area

    • One resident said she was able to make major changes to her home, including new flooring, a new bathroom, and repaired ceiling – that wouldn’t have been possible without the program


    “This allows them to remain in their home, because home ownership is the way for the American dream. That is one way that people are able to build generational wealth. So, as a result of being able to maintain that, it means something for them and for their heirs in the future,” said George Smith, economic development manager for the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Agency. 

    The resolution approved by the council increases the maximum award for home rehabilitation through the Affordable Single-Family Homeownership Program from $45,000 to $65,000. It also approved the creation of another sub-program, the Rapid Roof Replacement Program.

    The programs are specifically for homeowners who live within the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area and come in the form of zero-interest loans. For the rehabilitation assistance program, households with incomes of up to 120% of the area median income (AMI), or $114,600 for a family of four, can receive a 100% forgivable loan after ten years of occupancy with no monthly payments. Those with incomes between 121% and 140% AMI, or $133,700 for a family of four, will repay 50% of the loan through monthly payments, which will also be forgiven after ten years. The roofing pilot program will focus on owner-occupied homes with active roof code violations. Household income must be 120% AMI or lower. Dr. Avery Slyker, the city’s assistant director for housing and community development, said the programs can be combined to provide relief.

    “So, we go in, and we find out that yes, the roof is in very serious disarray. We need to do some major repairs. The $20,000’s going to be gone, but then what do we do with the ceilings, the walls? Maybe there’s some damage done to the floors because of the leaks. We’re going to be able to assist that with those rehabilitation funds,” Slyker said.

    Both Slyker and Smith said increasing the max award to $60,000 is necessary for the rehab program.

    “The rehab assistance is very, very important. The cost to rehab a home has gone up tremendously,” Smith said.

    “Unfortunately, when we go into a home today to do rehabilitation, it costs much more than the $60,000,” Slyker said. “What we’re having to do is take a list of things that are needed and bare it down to what is absolutely essential for the health and the safety of the homeowner. This gives us a little bit more freedom to do things.”

    One resident who’s experienced the benefits of the home rehabilitation program firsthand is Delores Green. Earlier this year, work began on multiple repairs to her 15th Ave. S home. They included new flooring in several rooms, new windows, and repairs to her bedroom ceiling. Green said the work was badly needed.

    “I did take the opportunity out to buy some covers, and I climbed on a ladder on that side of the room and just covered it,” she said of her bedroom ceiling. “That slowed the rain down. It was literally raining in my room.”

    Green told Spectrum News she’s lived in the home for 25 years. She said she meant to get to repairs sooner, with help from her brother, James.

    “Me and him was going to fix the house together. We was going to do it one room at a time,” Green said.

    But she said James had an aneurysm, and she inherited the house when he passed away. Green said she ultimately turned to the city for financial help and received about $70,000 from programs that included the rehab assistance.

    “It would never have gotten done — not as fast as they got it done,” she said of the importance of that money.

    Green encourages other South St. Pete residents in need to look into the program. She said it helped preserve her brother’s legacy.

    “It’s a Godly home — peaceful, enjoyable,” she said. “I can see that my brother’s looking down. He prepared for me a place to live, and I’m so thankful.”

    Slyker encourages anyone who may have looked into the program before but didn’t meet income requirements to check again, noting they change every year.

    Sarah Blazonis

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