ReportWire

Tag: APP Housing

  • Grant limit for home improvements in North Greenwood area increases

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater City Council members recently approved a boost to the North Greenwood CRA Residential Exterior Improvement Grant Program.

    What You Need To Know: 

    • The home improvement grant limit in North Greenwood increased to $25,000 from $20,000

    • The grant aims to help residents with rising construction costs

    • Homeowners use the grants for crucial repairs like roofing, plumbing, and HVAC systems


    The new limit is $25,000, up from the previous $20,000.

    “Well, $20,000 might have been a good amount a few years ago,” said Jesus Nino, Executive Director of Clearwater CRA. “But now with construction prices going up, it’s just a little bit more difficult to have something; for instance, a whole roof replaced for $20,000.”

    Homeowners have put grant money toward a variety of repairs and renovations, including: a new roof, windows, replacing heating and air conditioning systems, painting and other home repair safety features.

    Rosemary Gainey has lived in the North Greenwood area for more than 40 years. She received $20,000 in grant money and used it to replace her fence and plumbing.

    “Because the piping was so old … it could just explode anywhere over the house,” Gainey said. “I just think that the more we put into our community, the more the community will thrive and overall, look better. I’m just over the moon, is that what you call it, and I love it.”

    Learn more about the program and view the application form by clicking here.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Paint it pink: New St. Pete condo tower project catches public’s eye

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A group of pink buildings has caught the public’s attention, and it didn’t necessarily have anything to do with Valentine’s Day.

    An entire downtown St. Petersburg block, consisting of six buildings, was recently painted pink at the corner of 4th Ave. S and 4th St. S.

    It’s part of a new art-infused luxury condo tower being created by a local developer and the French furniture designer Roche Bobois.

    It will be called Roche Bobois St. Pete Tower.

    Artist rendering of the Roche Bobois St. Pete Tower (Courtesy: Valor Real Estate Development)

    Residents in that area will see work going on over the next three years.

    “The Roche Bobois St. Pete tower is a project born of art,” said Moises Agami, CEO of Valor Real Estate Development. “It does not incorporate art, but—instead—is actually the child of architecture, design, and art coming together. Art is the ethos of St. Pete, and it is this character that we’re celebrating and bringing to life. What you are seeing today and into the future on this site is not only paying homage to the rich and vibrant arts community but also the true St. Pete resident that lives, works, and plays here.”

    A groundbreaking will be held later this year, with completion expected in 2029.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • New Port Richey to build 2 coastal cottage homes in flood prone area

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The City of New Port Richey is moving forward with a plan to build two coastal cottage homes in the Edgewater Gardens subdivision.

    What You Need To Know

    • Two coastal cottage homes will be built in New Port Richey’s Edgewater Gardens subdivision

    • Construction of the homes is part of a bigger initiative to develop new housing that aligns with the city’s goal of building resilient neighborhoods
    • The neighborhood is within the flood zone classification AE, which indicates an elevated risk of flooding
    • The coastal design of the homes will feature an elevated floor plan with a garage or carport on the ground level, allowing living spaces above so that they are protected from flooding


    Both homes will be built on two lots that are currently owned by the city. Those lots are within the flood zone classification AE, which indicates an elevated risk of flooding.

    This subdivision flooded during hurricanes Helene and Milton, forcing many of its occupants to leave. The project is being over-seen by the city’s economic development director, Dave Gammon.

    Gammon says construction of the homes is part of a bigger initiative to develop new housing that aligns with the city’s goal of building resilient neighborhoods.

    “We cannot produce the same neighborhood again,” said Gammon. “These were built decades ago. They’re not sustainable, they’re not safe, they’re not resilient. What we can do with coastal cottage is change that, and if we can figure a way to make it affordable for the residents here and new residents, that’s what the aim is or the goal.”

    The coastal design of the homes will feature an elevated floor plan with a garage or carport on the ground level, allowing living spaces above that so that they are protected from flooding.

    Gammon says they are still in the process of hiring a builder. As for a timeline, he says they hope to have the two homes finished by early 2027.

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    Calvin Lewis

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

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    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.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • Tampa housing advocates call for return of landlord registry amid rising rents

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A local housing justice advocacy group is calling on the city of Tampa to bring back a landlord registry, arguing it would give renters more transparency and protection in an increasingly competitive housing market.

    Florida Rising said the tool would allow tenants to identify property owners, track repeat code violations and avoid unsafe living conditions — information, they said, is especially critical as rents rise and affordable housing becomes harder to find.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Rising is calling on the city of Tampa to bring back a landlord registry, arguing it would give renters more transparency and protection in an increasingly competitive housing market

    • For years, Tampa required landlords to register rental properties through a rental certificate program. That policy was repealed on May 4, 2023. City officials confirm property owners are no longer required to formally register each rental unit, though landlords must still obtain a city business tax receipt to legally operate

    • According to a 2025 statewide rental market study from the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, demand for housing has outpaced supply

    • Florida Rising argues a landlord registry would not solve the housing crisis on its own, but could give renters more confidence when choosing where to live and who to rent from


    “Renters need to know who they are renting from because they are signing a contract,” said Robin Lockett, regional director of Florida Rising Tampa Bay.

    Lockett, who also serves on the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, said a registry could help renters evaluate landlords the same way they research other major financial decisions.

    “How do they treat the the clients or the customers? What eviction rate do they have? Where do you know everything? How clean do they keep the apartment complex? Are there complaints about it? Have those complaints been verified?” she said.

    Registry repealed in 2023

    For years, Tampa required landlords to register rental properties through a rental certificate program. That policy was repealed on May 4, 2023.

    City officials confirm property owners are no longer required to formally register each rental unit, though landlords must still obtain a city business tax receipt to legally operate.

    Lockett said removing the registry weakened accountability.

    “They used to have a business registry, but there is no way to enforce it,” she said.

    Rental market pressure growing statewide

    Florida Rising’s push comes as housing pressures continue to mount across the state.

    According to a 2025 statewide rental market study from the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, Florida added more than one million households between 2019 and 2023, including nearly 200,000 new renter households. During that same period, the state gained more than 240,000 multifamily units.

    But demand has outpaced supply, driving median rent from $1,238 to $1,719, a 39% increase.

    Lockett said the consequences are visible on the streets.

    “To be honest, because of the housing market and the foreclosures and so forth, I see a lot more people homeless,” she said.

    Advocates say registry would empower renters

    Florida Rising argues a landlord registry would not solve the housing crisis on its own, but could give renters more confidence when choosing where to live and who to rent from.

    “I think with the people that are able to rent. The first step is for them to find out who they’re renting from and for them to make a decision as to whether they fit in regards to that business transaction,” Lockett said.

    The group said it plans to raise the issue with city leaders as Tampa continues to grapple with growth, affordability and housing stability.

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    Fadia Patterson

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

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    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.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • ‘No Place Like Home’: Expanding access to homeownership in South St. Petersburg

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg realty group is taking a hands-on approach to revitalizing South St. Pete while helping more residents become homeowners.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mo & Sam Franklin of Franklin & Associates Realty combine ministry and real estate to expand homeownership in South St. Pete

    • The Franklins plan to welcome first-time buyers into The Deuces Rising Townhomes, a 24-unit affordable housing development on 22nd Street South.

    • Their third annual “No Place Like Home” event will be held at St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Campus on Jan. 31st

    • More than 300 people have attended “No Place Like Home” over the past two years, seeking guidance on credit, mortgages and affordable housing options


    Pastors Mo and Samantha “Sam” Franklin are working to turn longstanding community ties into new opportunities for local families.

    Whether through faith or financial education, the Franklins say their mission is the same: to build up South St. Pete.

    Bishop Mo Franklin was ordained in 2004 — the same year he earned his real estate license. Pastor Sam Franklin followed soon after, and together they founded Franklin & Associates Realty.

    “We have been involved in ministry and real estate kind of from the beginning,” Bishop Franklin said. “And so even though we sell real estate, obviously you carry the heart of the pastor and the first lady as you do it. So it kind of has really steered us towards those who are in need most being first-time homebuyers.”

    The couple says expanding homeownership in South St. Pete is deeply personal — especially in The Deuces Live District, a historic hub of the city’s Black community where Samantha Franklin grew up.

    “We want to see the people really, you know, become homeowners in the areas that they’ve grown up in,” she said. “So, you know, this is a real blessing for us, really.”

    In addition to real estate development, the Franklins host an annual community event aimed at helping residents navigate the homebuying process.

    Their third annual “No Place Like Home” event will be held at St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Campus. More than 300 people have attended over the past two years, seeking guidance on credit, mortgages and affordable housing options.

    “In the last three years we’ve seen it fluctuate,” Samantha Franklin said of the housing market and need for affordable housing.

    Bishop Franklin says economic shifts often hit low- and moderate-income communities first, making the path to homeownership more difficult.

    “We’ve seen quite a change over the last few years,” he said. “You know, three years ago you had low interest rates in the twos and 3%, and now interest rates are at 6%.”

    This spring, the Franklins plan to welcome first-time buyers into The Deuces Rising Townhomes, a 24-unit affordable housing development on 22nd Street South.

    The project received a $19 million contribution from the St. Petersburg City Council.

    [ad_2] Fadia Patterson
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  • First family moves in under Habitat’s Advancing Black Homeownership Program

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Habitat for Humanity has launched a new push to expand Black homeownership. For many families, owning a home has felt out of reach.

    It’s called the Advancing Black Homeownership Program. It started last year, and now its first recipient moved in last week.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Advancing Black Homeownership Program started in 2024

    • The program had an increase in applicants from just 50 in 2024 to 150 in 2025

    • The application period for the Advancing Black Homeownership Program runs from Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 17

    She already has the keys to her new home, but today Princess Cummings is volunteering, helping make this house a home for another family.

    “I just closed on my home on Jan. 9 of this year, so I’m super, super happy,” she said.

    Princess is the first person in Manatee County’s Advancing Black Homeownership Program to buy a home.

    “My house is about $317,000, but overall with my mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, and property taxes, everything comes out to almost $1,300,” she said.

    The goal of the Advancing Black Homeownership Program is to help more Black families achieve homeownership.

    For Princess and her three children, that help came at a critical time. She says they could no longer afford their rent and had been homeless since March of last year.

    “I lived in a hotel before. I stayed at an extended stay, and I stayed with family before,” she said. “It was very difficult, extremely difficult,” she said.

    Now, moving into a three-bedroom home, she says a weight has been lifted.

    “All the glory to God. I’m super excited,” she said.

    The task force started in 2024 with just 50 applicants. That number grew to 150 the following year. Now, in 2026, officials expect an even bigger increase.

    “We are definitely seeing an increase in applicants due to the affordability crisis,” she said.

    Kaveecia Moore is the director of homeowner services with Manatee Habitat for Humanity. The goal is to have 15 families in homes by 2031.

    “The Advancing Black Homeownership Program is really to address the racial gap in homeownership and to increase involvement in our community,” she said.

    Giving Princess and her family a place to call their forever home.

    The application period for the Advancing Black Homeownership Program runs from Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Tuesday, Feb. 17.

    Manatee Habitat for Humanity as a whole also saw a 51 percent increase in applicants from 2024 to 2025.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • New downtown Tampa apartments use smart design to make small spaces feel bigger

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Downtown Tampa continues to rank among the most desirable places to live — thanks to its skyline views, dining, arts, sports and waterfront attractions.

    But developers behind a new project say cost has kept many young professionals from calling the neighborhood home.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street offers downtown access at a lower price, thanks to compact layouts

    • Located within walking distance of the Water Street district, the project features 51 long-term apartments and 53 fully furnished short-term units

    • Developers say one of the biggest cost burdens when moving into an apartment is furnishing it

    • To help eliminate that, the studio units come equipped with Ori Cloud Bed sofa systems. With the push of a button, the bed retracts into the ceiling to create additional living space during the day


    That’s the problem The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street is trying to solve.

    Developers Christopher Bicho of Landings Real Estate Group and Craig Bazarsky of BendinRoad Development say the building was designed specifically for renters who want downtown access without paying luxury tower prices.

    “Younger people who maybe don’t have, you know, high-end incomes,” Bicho said, explaining the target demographic. Bazarsky says that includes a growing number of professionals working nearby.

    “There’s the USF Medical School right around the corner. You have a lot of young people moving to Tampa who are now working in Water Street and historic downtown — you know, people 25 to 35.”

    Compact Layouts, Big Functionality

    Located within walking distance of the Water Street district, the project features 51 long-term apartments and 53 fully furnished short-term units.

    Developers say one of the biggest cost burdens when moving into an apartment is furnishing it.

    “I think, as we all know when we rent apartments, some of the friction is you’ve got to buy a bed. You have to buy a couch. Those are costs you incur when moving,” Bicho said.

    The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street will host an open house on Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)

    To help eliminate that, the studio units come equipped with Ori Cloud Bed sofa systems. With the push of a button, the bed retracts into the ceiling to create additional living space during the day.

    “It feels bigger,” Bazarsky explained. “Offering a smaller unit that’s semi-furnished and expandable, in an area where you’re a stone’s throw from Water Street, could be a big value add to renters.”

    Beyond the transforming bed system, the micro-apartments feature amenities that rival larger units:

    • Full-size kitchens
    • Spacious bathrooms
    • Walk-in closets
    • In-unit washer & dryer
    • Balconies with sound-proof glass doors
    • Additional storage options

    When the balcony doors open, the nearby highway is clearly audible — but once they’re closed, the building’s sound-blocking design makes the unit noticeably quiet.

    The property also includes a pool and fitness center.

    Each square foot is planned with flexibility in mind, something Bicho says helps keep residents cycling through downtown and businesses active.

    “So we have a lot of flexibility for people to actually reside here in the building,” he said. “It could be a long-term tenant or you can be a short-term tenant, and it allows companies to actually move people in and out of the downtown area. It keeps the vibrancy of the building alive every day.”

    Rents range from $1,600 to $2,200 for furnished units.

    Developers hope the project proves that a smaller living space doesn’t have to mean living small — especially in one of Tampa’s most in-demand neighborhoods.

    The Residences at 801 East Whiting Street will host an open house on Jan. 22 at 4:30 p.m.

    Rents range from $1,600 to $2,200 for furnished units. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)

    Rents range from $1,600 to $2,200 for furnished units. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • New housing program to help youth who have aged out of the foster care system

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A new housing project is taking shape with a mission beyond bricks and mortar.

    A local nonprofit has officially broken ground on a development designed to support young adults aging out of the foster care system.

    The project aims to provide not just housing, but stability and a pathway to independence.

    What You Need To Know

    • Harbor 58 is a nonprofit aimed at helping youth who aged out of foster care 

    • The organization held a ground breaking ceremony last month for its new housing program, which includes six duplexes housing 12 people and a community center
    • The project underway is on the property of Oasis Church on Lorraine Road and organizers hope to finish the housing project by the spring of 2027

    This is a new environment for Airanna Gibbons. But there’s one thing that’s always helped her during times of uncertainty: coloring.

    “It relaxes me and makes me less nervous,” she said.

    For Gibbons, it’s been a coping mechanism as she’s been in and out of foster care since she was four years old.

    “I ended up getting taken away from my biological parents a couple days before my birthday, and it was very stressful. There’s a lot of emotions, but I ended up moving from home to home, and none of them really enjoyed me or liked me. And so, I ended up going through about seven or eight homes before I ended up getting adopted,” she said.

    Around the age of 14, Gibbons said her life changed again.

    “I ended up having some problems, and I ended up going into a mental hospital. My adoptive parents decided that they didn’t want me. Then I ended up going into a group home,” she said.

    Now, the 19-year-old is in a new home.

    It’s an 18-month-long housing program with the nonprofit Harbor 58.

    “I guess it was finally home, I guess, if that makes sense. So, yeah,” she said.

    The mission of Harbor 58 is to help young people aging out of foster care by providing resources and support.

    In Gibbons’ case, that includes the opportunity to learn how to live more independently with the help of a career coach and other resources.

    The goal is for participants to eventually be able to live on their own.

    Alisha Pavacich is the program director.

    “Manatee County has a lot of kids that are in foster care and several that age out every single year. And there’s no real space for those kids to step into,” she said.

    The organization recently broke ground on its new housing complex, which will include six duplexes housing 12 people in total, along with a community center.

    “The statistics for youth aging out of foster care are not great. A lot of kids end up in jail, not graduating high school, or unfortunately, being trafficked. We just want to change that narrative and give them a more supportive and brighter future,” she said.

    Gibbons said she feels included and comfortable in this space. So much so, she said she’s looking forward to one day publishing a children’s book she wrote, inspired by her life experiences, and working towards becoming a child advocate.

    The project underway is on the property of Oasis Church on Lorraine Road.

    Organizers hope to finish the housing project by the spring of 2027.

    Currently, the organization is housing three people and hope to expand that to more when the new facility opens in 2027.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Largo residents raise alarm over apartment plan on former landfill site

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    LARGO, Fla. — A developer is seeking approval for a new apartment community in Largo — a request that has reignited debate over the site’s history as a former construction and debris landfill.

    Neighbors and Pinellas County planners have repeatedly flagged the “brownfield’s” concerns, saying the 18-acre site at 13400 Pine Street could be contaminated. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A developer is seeking approval for a new apartment community in Largo — a request that has reignited debate over the site’s history as a former construction and debris landfill

    • Neighbors and Pinellas County planners have repeatedly flagged the “brownfield’s” concerns, saying the 18-acre site at 13400 Pine Street could be contaminated

    • A cancer survivor who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, Marva Perry said she’s worried about possible environmental risks

    • Hill Ward Henderson represents Green Energy for North America, LLC; Attorney Katie Cole shared the following statement with Spectrum News, saying in part: “There has been extensive testing on the site and no hazardous materials have been found.”


    Master gardener Marva Perry has spent over 30 years tending the flowers and produce in her yard.

    “I’m able to build a salad straight out of my yard,” she said.

    Perry said her garden played a key role in her journey through breast cancer.

    “It keeps you living because you need to be able to take care of it,” said Perry. “When you ask yourself where did God first put man, it was in the garden. That’s where you go to find peace.”

    But she said what could happen just blocks from her home is unsettling.

    “The brownfield is located less than 500 feet from the house,” said Perry. 

    The site, which was once used for construction and debris disposal, is now being considered for an 1,800-unit apartment community.

    “We would sit on the porch and see what they were doing over there,” Perry said. “We knew, everybody knew, but everybody did not understand the effect of what would happen when they start filling it in.”

    A cancer survivor who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, Perry said she’s worried about possible environmental risks. She and other residents attended and planned to raise those concerns during a Nov. 18 Pinellas County Commission meeting, but the public hearing was postponed.

    Largo residents sitting in at a Pinellas County Commission meeting voicing concerns about a site for a planned apartment complex. (Spectrum News/Fadia Patterson)

    “What concerns me the most is how (are) they going to clean it up? How deep are they going to go?” she added. 

    Green Energy for North America, LLC is represented by Hill Ward Henderson. Attorney Katie Cole shared the following statement with Spectrum News, saying in part:

    “Our client is proceeding with all due diligence as it relates to the suitability of development of the site and such diligence will not be completed for a few months. We are currently working to get the proper zoning in place to allow for the development of the property if and when the developer is comfortable that the property can be developed. Historically, the site was used for construction debris disposal and the diligence relates to investigations regarding the existing debris. There has been extensive testing on the site and no hazardous materials have been found. Our client will continue to test and conform to all applicable regulations and requirements to ensure a safe development.”

    If approved, this would be the second affordable housing project within blocks of Perry’s home.

    “It takes me sometimes five minutes to back out of my driveway,” she said.

    Perry said the new proposal does not match the character or capacity of the neighborhood.

    “We want our community to be safe. We want our community to have affordable housing. But there is a place for it, and two back-to-backs is just not the place for it,” she said.

    She said more housing should not come at the cost of public health or community stability.

    The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20.

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    Fadia Patterson

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

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    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. 

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • New affordable senior community celebrates grand opening in Crystal River

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — A new senior housing development has officially opened.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida’s largest affordable housing developer, Housing Trust Group, is welcoming home residents at the Fountains at Hidden Lake

    • The new senior housing community is helping seniors in the area live comfortably and affordably
    • Affordable senior housing is a struggle in the area, with the median age of residents in the city to be between 63 and 64 years old
    • Rent prices start at $787 at the Fountains at Hidden Lake and there may be plans for a future expansion


    Florida’s largest affordable housing developer, Housing Trust Group, is welcoming home residents at the Fountains at Hidden Lake. Already, the new community is helping seniors in the area live comfortably as a celebration unfolds.

    “It’s an exciting development and we’re very proud to have seniors have a safe, clean, affordable housing as a place to live with dignity at very affordable rents,” said Jordan Tolman, COO of Housing Trust Group.

    This brand-new community is just the latest in affordable housing for seniors in Citrus County. That includes seniors like Julie Sauve, who has been calling the community home since July.

    “I kind of felt that it was time for a change,” said Sauve. “I wanted to go into my later years someplace where I knew it was going to be safe and I’d be able to make a lot of new friends and feel very comfortable.”

    Before settling down, Sauve said it was a struggle finding affordable housing in the Tampa Bay area. She previously lived in Clearwater but said rent prices were becoming unaffordable.

    “There’s nowhere else where we could get anything as amazing as this for the price that each one of us pay,” says Sauve. “It’s so important for seniors going into their later years to be able to have the stability of having a home like this.”

    It’s a struggle Tolman and the rest of Housing Trust Group realize. Rent prices start as low as $787 for residents.

    “The population here has been growing tremendously,” said Tolman. “And as the population keeps growing, prices keep increasing and increasing naturally. So, to be able to provide affordable housing for seniors aged 62 and older is really a great blessing.”

    According to the City of Crystal River, the median age of residents is between 63 and 64 years old, making up about 36% of the population.

    “I’d say get your name in as quick as you can,” said Sauve. “It’s going to fill up quick. There’s just no place like it, I just love it here.”

    There may be plans for an expansion in the near future. Tolman said the Housing Trust Group is exploring building a second phased community that would sit near the current development.

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    Calvin Lewis

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

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    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.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Clearwater nonprofit helps houseless get resources

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health estimates this year that nearly 30,000 people are houseless in Florida.

    That number has slightly decreased from last year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Hydrate the Homeless helps the houseless with food and water



    • It serves meals at The Refuge in Clearwater on Tuesdays and Fridays



    • The nonprofit started with two neighbors and a wish to help



    • According to the 2025 Point in Time Count, more than 1,800 people are houseless in Pinellas County




    The Pinellas County Point in Time Count has shown a similar trend.

    Hydrate the Homeless, a nonprofit, is helping to make sure people in need are cared for.

    “It’s always a struggle trying to figure out how many people we’re going to have coming,” said Carla Mogan, president and founder of Hydrate the Homeless.

    The effort began three years ago when Mogan and her neighbor, Mel Swartout, were looking for a way to give back. They started by walking around Largo Central Park, where they found people in need. 

    “I took out my cooler and I started yelling, ‘Lemonade, ice cold lemonade!’ And they all started coming over,” Mogan said.

    Years later, the nonprofit is serving warm meals and distributing clothes and hygiene products with the help of about 15 volunteers.

    “I love it. It’s as much for me as it is for them,” Mogan said. “I’m not going to lie. I get a lot out of it.”

    And the need in Pinellas County is there. According to the 2025 Point in Time Count, which tracks the number of people experiencing homelessness, more than 1,800 people are houseless. That’s the lowest for the county since the count began, but Mogan thinks that total is miscalculated.

    “Now I know for a fact we didn’t count all of them, because I know where some of them where that didn’t get counted. So I think you could almost double that number,” she said.

    With three different outreach events every week, Mogan said they serve more than 200 people.

    Janet Muharay was houseless for two years and is now giving back to the nonprofit that helped her. 

    “A lot of them want that chance to take a shower, to get food, clothing. We need to have more places like this for that, because I was there, I know what it felt like,” Muhary said.

    Mogan said she wants to see Hydrate the Homeless continue to grow and expand to every city in the county.

    “It’s nice to be able to come together and just have time when we’re just people and people enjoying each other’s company,” Mogan said.

    Hydrate the Homeless has three different outreach events every week.

    They serve meals at The Refuge in Clearwater on Tuesdays and Fridays.

    On Wednesdays, they make and deliver sandwiches for distribution at the Crossroads Church in Largo.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Florida conference addresses homelessness amid shrinking federal support

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Policy leaders, housing experts and advocates from across Florida gathered in Orlando this week for the 2025 Florida Conference to End Homelessness.

    The three-day event focuses on collaboration, strategy and solutions at a time when communities face rising housing costs, limited affordable options and reduced federal support.

    What You Need To Know

    • Policy leaders, housing experts and advocates from across Florida gathered in Orlando for the 2025 Florida Conference to End Homelessness

    • The three-day event focused on collaboration, strategy and solutions at a time when communities face rising housing costs, limited affordable options and reduced federal support

    • A major challenge for Florida’s homeless services comes from the end of federal support for the SOAR TA (Technical Assistance) Program, which helped individuals experiencing homelessness apply for Social Security disability benefits

    • The coalition estimates over 30,000 Floridians are currently without stable housing — a number that continues to grow. Conference leaders emphasize the need for stronger collaboration among public agencies, housing authorities and developers to address the crisis


    From city outreach teams to nonprofit organizations, Florida is working to meet people experiencing homelessness where they are — offering resources, support, and, sometimes, a second chance

    “One of the great things about this conference is it’s not just about the training in the classroom — it’s the networking and the problem-solving that happens outside of the workshops,” said Leeanne Sacino, executive director of the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness, which hosts the annual event.

    A major challenge for Florida’s homeless services comes from the end of federal support for the SOAR TA (Technical Assistance) Program, which helped individuals experiencing homelessness apply for Social Security disability benefits. The program’s technical assistance center, which trained thousands of professionals nationwide, closed in August.

    “So SOAR connects individuals with Social Security income. If an individual is disabled and doesn’t have Social Security, a SOAR-trained professional can take the legwork, reduce the need for legal services, and lower the cost for someone to get on Social Security and Medicaid,” Sacino explained.

    Brian Postlewait, CFO of the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness, said, “It’s a very pivotal year in this country around homelessness. Policy changes could reduce funding for permanent supportive housing — and that’s a problem. We’ve worked so hard over the last 10 years housing the hardest-to-house people in our communities.”

    The coalition estimates over 30,000 Floridians are currently without stable housing — a number that continues to grow. Conference leaders emphasize the need for stronger collaboration among public agencies, housing authorities and developers to address the crisis.

    “At the end of the day, our goal is the same — to make sure every Floridian has a safe, stable place to live,” Sacino said.

    The Florida Conference to End Homelessness continues through Friday in Orlando, bringing together stakeholders determined to create actionable solutions for one of the state’s most pressing issues.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Making homeownership more affordable

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    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.

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • New housing on the way as Citrus County continues to see population growth

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — New housing is on its way throughout Citrus County.

    At least 10 major housing developments are currently in the works, with subdivisions, apartments and residential phases planned for areas like Homosassa, Lecanto and Crystal River. The tourist destination is becoming a place to call home.

    What You Need To Know

    • New housing is being planned for areas throughout Citrus County

    • At least 10 major housing developments are currently in the works, with subdivisions, apartments and residential phases planned for areas like Homosassa, Lecanto and Crystal River
    • One of those areas is off of Gulf to Lake Highway


    Josh and Ashlyn Reynolds have already seen growth over time.

    Together, they are the proud owners of Baymens, located in downtown Crystal River. Though their store may only be three months old, their roots to the area go much deeper.

    “It is definitely growing here, but it’s still home,” said Josh.

    Josh has called the area home his whole life, seeing firsthand the amount of growth Crystal River and Citrus County have seen throughout the years. And he may witness more to come, with housing developments planned for the near future.

    “It’s good to see a lot more people in the area, especially for small businesses like this,” he said. “We are having a lot more foot traffic, as well as the kayak company. We do have more people wanting to go on the water. It’s beautiful out there.”

    Subdivisions and apartments are planned in areas like one off of Gulf to Lake Highway.

    “You’ve seen a lot of interest from area developers that have come in and gotten their subdivisions platted,” said Josh Wooten, CEO of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.

    According to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, in recent years, Crystal River has seen steady growth in population. What is known as the “Manatee Capital of the World” is becoming an area to call home.

    “I think it started post-COVID of people looking for refuge in Florida,” Wooten said. “And then that, coupled with the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, the State Road 44, now County Road 486. We’ve definitely noticed an influx of new residents.”

    It’s something the Josh and Ashlyn Reynolds realized before opening up shop.

    “It’s been a good thing, but it’s bittersweet,” Josh said. “You have more people, which means you have more eyes on the community and more people that want to come back and travelers. But also you just have to balance it with is it damaging our ecosystem, or is it damaging our small-town vibe.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • What hurricane laws mean for vacation rentals in North Carolina

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    Getting into the vacation rental business started off as a necessity for Ashley Harkrader.

    “I became a single mom in 2015, and I needed to figure out how to take care of my daughter,” said Harkrader of Pretty Stays CLT.

    She now has almost 100 properties nationwide and most of them are in North Carolina.

    What You Need To Know

    • North Carolina last year received about 40 million visitors from across the country, making it the fifth-most-visited state, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce

    • With an increase in tourism, property owners like Ashley Harkrader say it’s important that state laws protect visitors during hurricane season 

    • She says she knows first-hand why these laws are essential because one of her properties in Boone was destroyed by Hurricane Helene 


    According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, last year there were around 40 million visitors from across the country, ranking North Carolina the fifth-most-visited state. 

    With an increase in tourism, property owners like Harkrader think it’s important that state laws protect visitors during hurricane season.

    “Because I think we all need to care about each other in situations that none of us can control, and I think that gives us the ability to create a better rapport. So that way, when the time is appropriate for them to travel back to you, they know that you truly believe in their safety and vice versa,” Harkrader said.

    The North Carolina Vacation Rental Act says renters must follow mandatory evacuation orders and they are entitled to a prorated refund if they do have to evacuate. There is an exception if someone opts out of insurance that covers the risk of evacuation. If a vacation rental can’t be delivered as promised, renters must be refunded or offered a comparable property. 

    “I encourage those individuals who are entering into short-term leases to make sure that they’re reading the leases and what all of their rights and responsibilities are under the lease and paying particular attention to the insurance coverage. Of course, any of the mandatory evacuation orders that may be put in place during this hurricane season,” said Kristen Fetter of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. 

    Harkrader says she knows first-hand why these laws are so essential since one of her properties in Boone was destroyed by Helene. 

    “We actually had a family that was going to be staying there, but we obviously refunded and gave them their money back just because we didn’t know what was going to happen,” Harkrader said.

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • More affordable housing opens in Durham with a new look

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    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.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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