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Tag: APP Housing

  • Raleigh Housing Authority launches new department to support families in need

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Finding a new home and making the transition can be challenging for families in public housing.

    The Raleigh Housing Authority has launched a new department, Resident Services, with a goal to better support them.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 46,000 residents live in public housing across North Carolina, with an average household income of just over $15,000 a year

    • The Raleigh Housing Authority’s new Resident Services Department helps families transition to stable housing while connecting them to health care, food assistance and community resources

    • Finding enough available units and working with landlords who accept housing vouchers is a challenge

    • The authority is creating a self-sufficiency program focused on career and personal development to boost long-term economic independence



    Washing dishes in your own kitchen or having enough space for your children to play is something that some may take for granted, but for families like Tequita Jarman’s, it’s the biggest blessing.

    Jarman struggled with homelessness for years but found stability through the housing authority.

    “Them girls in they own rooms and they own spaces and they created their own spaces within their space? I like and love that,” Jarman said.

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports more than 46,000 residents live in public housing in North Carolina, with the average household income just over $15,000 a year. For many families, navigating the housing system is overwhelming, and access to support can be limited.

    That’s why the Raleigh Housing Authority has launched Resident Services, a new department designed to guide families through difficult transitions and connect them with critical resources.

    Relocation manager Sharon Sneed says her team focuses on helping families move into affordable, safe housing while offering additional support.

    “We are a team that comes in to support our families in transitioning from one location to the next… helping in supporting them, ensuring that they find housing that is affordable and decent and safe,” Sneed said.

    The department also works to connect residents with health care, food assistance and community programs, aiming to improve stability and quality of life. But the challenges are steep — from a lack of available units to landlords unwilling to accept housing vouchers.

    “When you have a family with the large size, sometimes that’s kind of hard for them to locate housing that they want, that they can afford, or if they can afford it with the voucher. Sometimes you have trouble finding the … landlords that will accept the assistance,” Sneed said.

    Despite these challenges, Jarman says it’s important to keep moving forward.

    “It’s going to be hard. It’s going to make you cry. You’re going to have moments where you had to cry when the kids ain’t looking, you know? But you gotta keep pushing,” she said.

    The housing authority says it is continuing to look for community partners, landlords and properties to expand its efforts. The agency is also developing a new program to help residents build self-sufficiency through personal and career development.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • 6 unit transitional housing complex nearing completion in Clermont

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    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)

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    Emma Delamo

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  • Lakeland approves plans to demolish affordable housing complex

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    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.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Population boom could soon come to Citrus County with housing demand

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    INVERNESS, Fla. — A population boom could be coming in Citrus County. 

    Earlier this week, commissioners got an overview of how other counties across the state are managing growth. It comes at a time where the demand for housing is at a high in the county.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus County may soon see a population boom as county commissioners meet to discuss managing growth

    • Earlier this week, commissioners got an overview of how other counties across the state are managing growth
    • Most recently, areas throughout the county — such as Inverness — have gone through revitalization projects and changes
    • It comes at a time where the demand for housing is at a high in the county


    For Eric Williams, Citrus County is a way of life. He knows this all too well, being the city manager of Inverness. 

    “It is a high quality of life,” Williams said. “It’s a quiet life. The age dynamic is starting to shift and you want to have that diversity. You’re naturally going to have growth in Florida, but I think it comes with a certain cost.”

    Under his lead, the city has seen a variety of upgrades and changes throughout the years, which most recently includes a revitalization of the old historic Citrus County Courthouse.

    There are countless projects that have been designed with the intent of reaching a larger audience in mind — in visitors and those who call it “home.”

    “You also have infrastructure that comes with things like public safety and park systems,” said Williams. “Staying ahead of that and being able to understand what’s coming to you. That’s a big challenge. But if you get it right, or close to right, it really helps get development across the line.”

    “The big hammer that we have is affordability,” said Judy McCoy, a realtor for Century 21 in Inverness.

    She says the housing market in Citrus County has seen a sizable increase within the last five years.

    “You are living in Florida and you are paying a reasonable price,” says McCoy. “Everything is a little bit lower price than it is, you know, in the bigger cities and on the coast.”

    It’s a positive trend that may continue as more people become familiar with the area.

    “This graph is something that I think every home buyer and home seller has lived since the COVID times because what you see here was a ten-year correction in Citrus County,” said McCoy. “We have always been very affordable, probably one of the most affordable, beautiful places in Florida.”

    Something, Williams says, the city and county are prepared for.

    “What I hope to see in my time and plan on forever having a home here, is that that continues to be a platform where growth can be accepted in a measured way but, eventually, also the diversity in the economy is stabilized to the point that there’s a good mix of working class opportunities as well as that for our retirement folks.”

    It’s a place where people of all walks of life can continue to live.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Metropolitan Ministries expands to offer housing in Pinellas County

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Metropolitan Ministries marked a milestone Wednesday with a ribbon cutting to officially launch its first residential housing program in Pinellas County.

    What You Need To Know

    • Metropolitan Ministries has partnered with St. Pete Free Clinic to expand housing into Pinellas County

    • Two new facilities are opening to support families experiencing homelessness

    • Officials from the nonprofit organization say it will continue providing homeless prevention programs


    “This is a safe space for families to come in from the outside, and we provide shelter and programming in their journey toward self-sufficiency,” said Kip Corriveau, director of Pinellas Residential Programs with Metropolitan Ministries.

    The nonprofit has long-served those experiencing homelessness in Pinellas County by offering a variety of programs ranging from hunger relief, job training and family support services, to community outreach.

    A new partnership with St. Pete Free Clinic now means providing a residential housing program to go along with those wraparound services.

    “Housing is therapeutic, housing is health care,” Corriveau said. “You really can’t sort of function without having those kind of basic needs of food, clothing and shelter taken care of. You can’t concentrate on anything else if you’re worried about those things, and once those are relieved, you actually can work on employment, job skills, psychological health, all kinds of other issues.”

    “If you don’t have housing, none of those are going to be addressed,” he said.

    Crews put on the finishing touches as residents move in ahead of Wednesday’s ribbon cutting. (Spectrum News/Melissa Eichman)

    The David and Virginia Baldwin Family Residence can sleep more than 100 people and offers an emergency shelter for families. The organization says a second new facility, Lealman Residence, provides affordable housing for families to help them transition to stability.

    Erica Wise, who moved in with Tuesday with her family, is working toward that stability. 

    “It’s been a struggle being on the streets trying to find somewhere to go,” Wise said. “Three kids and pregnant, so this is a blessing. And I thank Metropolitan for giving me the opportunity to be able to come here and get my life together for me and my kids.”

    Spectrum News/Randy Levine

    Spectrum News/Randy Levine

    Wise is one of the first to move in and said she’s grateful.

    “This to me is step one, and I keep building, I’ll be OK,” she said.

    Part of Metropolitan Ministries expansion into Pinellas County includes a new holiday tent site, which will serve more than 5,000 families, starting with the Thanksgiving holiday.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • St. Pete: Property owner still owes $162,000 in unpaid water bills

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People living at the Morgan Apartments along 27th Avenue South may be closer to not having their water turned off.

    The city said Thursday that the property owner, Lurin Real Estate Holdings, has paid more payments.

    At one point, Lurin had a balance of over $700,000 for unpaid water bills at Morgan, as well as another complex.

    On Thursday, the city said it received a payment of $72,647, and that a $70,000 payment was received Wednesday. The transactions have not yet cleared the banking system, the city said.

    According to the city, there is still an outstanding balance of $162,931.96. 

    The city had sent a notice to residents that service would be interrupted on Aug. 21 if the company didn’t pay. The city even urged tenant to have alternate plans to live elsewhere.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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

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    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.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Bay area mobile home park residents push back against mass eviction

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    BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — Mobile home park closures aren’t just displacing people — they’re erasing entire communities.

    According to The Eviction Lab, each park’s closure further decreases the already scarce supply of affordable housing. Now, 83 families at Pines Trailer Park are experiencing that reality. Still reeling from the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, they’re now battling a new storm — a legal one — as eviction notices appear on their doors.

    What You Need To Know

    • Still reeling from the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, Pines Trailer Park residents are now battling a new storm — a legal one — as eviction notices appear on their doors

    • The park’s owner is proceeding with plans to close the park for good, forcing many tenants to find new accommodations

    • The Eviction Lab published a report reflecting on a decade of mobile home park evictions in Florida. Between 2012 and 2022, park owners in Florida filed nearly 60,000 eviction cases — 10,000 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, with Orange County adding 3,000 more

    • The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners’ Association has filed a lawsuit against Pines Trailer Park LLC in an attempt to delay the park’s closure and the subsequent evictions

    The park’s owner is proceeding with plans to close the park for good, forcing many tenants, including Jason Woodall, to find new accommodations. Woodall, who just moved in before the last hurricane season, said this feels profoundly unfair. “It’s personal. This is our life,” he said.

    Neighbors say they were under the understanding their rental agreement would enable them to stay for at least five years — a promise that fell through after Helene and Milton.

    Jacob Haas, Senior Research Specialist with The Eviction Lab, explained, “The harms from (storms) can really be exacerbated by a park being sold and all of the residents of the park being mass evicted.”

    The Eviction Lab published a report reflecting on a decade of mobile home park evictions in Florida.

    Between 2012 and 2022, park owners in Florida filed nearly 60,000 eviction cases — 10,000 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, with Orange County adding 3,000 more. Haas also notes eviction timelines for mobile home renters are typically shorter — and more expensive — than for traditional tenants. “Often, sometimes through no fault of their own, those seniors are evicted and lose tens of thousands of dollars if they own their own home,” Haas said.

    Woodall, together with the homeowners’ association, is filing a lawsuit against Pines Trailer Park LLC in an attempt to delay the park’s closure and the subsequent evictions. “We are not going anywhere. My rent is in escrow, and I have been paying in good faith.”

    With a tentative eviction date set for July 31, Woodall stands firm and is determined to protect his investment and find additional time to make other accommodations.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Study shows Lakeland ranked highest in the nation for foreclosures

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — While the country saw a drop in foreclosures last year, recent data shows Florida’s rates jumped to the highest in the nation. The metropolitan area with the most filings was the city of Lakeland.

    What You Need To Know

    • Recent data from Attom reveals that Lakeland had the highest foreclosure rate in the country in 2024

    • Real estate broker Bob Miller attributes the high foreclosure rates mainly to skyrocketing insurance premiums

    • Miller advises homeowners to shop for new insurance, contact their bank and consider reaching out to real estate attorneys or licensed brokers for help to avoid foreclosure


    According to the real estate analytics firm ATTOM, one in every 172 Lakeland homes was foreclosed on in 2024. The statistics didn’t come as a surprise to real estate broker Bob Miller, who knows firsthand how it feels to lose a home.

    “Back in 2008, when the market crashed, we had actually lost our house,” he said. “What got me involved is we had enough money to pay the mortgage, but the attorney’s fees had gotten so high that I really felt it was unfair and really made me want to get a part of the system and figure out how to help other people.”

    Miller points to factors like high interest rates and the impact of Polk County’s growing population on prices as reasons for the filings. But he says the number one contributor is insurance premiums.

    “They’re just getting totally out of hand. Most people are seeing an increase in their payments between 30 to 50% of their monthly payments, and people just can’t take it anymore,” he said.

    Rather than giving up, Miller advises homeowners to shop around for insurance. If that doesn’t work, he says to pick up the phone and call your bank.

    “When the bank has no knowledge, they’re forced to hire an attorney,” Miller said. “They’re forced to get someone to contact you. And once the attorney gets involved, those payments are going to be 50%, if not 100%, as much as you owe the bank.”

    Miller also recommends contacting a real estate attorney or licensed broker if you need help. Most importantly, he says to remember there are options.

    “The worst thing for you to do is sit there and let the bank move on you. They don’t want your house, but if you force their hand, they have no option,” he said.

    Miller is confident the city will bounce back from the high foreclosure rates. He assures that the current numbers aren’t as high as they were in 2008.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Increased need for housing for those with disabilities in Manatee, Sarasota

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — There is a need for housing that can accommodate those with disabilities in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

    The Haven, a nonprofit based in Sarasota, has built more homes on its property and has released new plans to build more to keep up with the demand.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Haven has increased the number of people with disabilities it serves by 15 percent from 2024 to this year

    • In 2012, The Haven had 20 people with disabilities living on campus; now the number has increased to 70

    • It is expanding and building its biggest group home yet at more than 6,000 square feet
    • It will break ground at the end of April


    It has increased the number of people with disabilities it serves by 15 percent in the last year. Last year, it served 650 people with disabilities, and that figure grew to 750 in 2025.

    It was move-in day for Adam Carmona.

    “I’m excited about living here. This is a good opportunity,” he said.

    Carmona is 31 years old and has autism. He says moving into his own place is a new beginning.

    “I want to grow up, you know? I want to be independent. I don’t want to live with my parents,” he said.

    He moved into a new group home, called “Michael’s House.”

    It is the eighth group home built on The Haven’s campus and just opened up for residents to move into this month. The rent varies from $800 to $1,200 a month, and it is for people with disabilities ages 18 and up.

    According to officials at The Haven, when residents move in, they can stay for the rest of their lives.

    In the Michael’s House group home, Carmona will live with seven other people. There are staff on-site 24 hours a day, and the facility provides a structured schedule and plans social events. Those interactions are something Carmona is looking forward to.

    “Well, I think it’s going to feel good. I mean, I just feel like when I live out here, I feel like I want to be doing things. I want to be active. I also need to make sure I’m out in the community,” he said.

    Brad Jones is the president of The Haven.

    “Housing is one of the greatest needs right now for adults with disabilities,” Jones said.

    He says waiting for about a decade is common because of the high demand, which was the case for Carmona.

    “We have a major residential waiting list of over 350 people. It’s a really exciting time, for not only the resident when they move in, but also their family. And it’s like a huge relief that, ‘Ok, this is happening.’ You know, this is going to be around long after I’m gone,” he said.

    Jones says over the past 12 years, the campus has built five group homes, so now this year, there’s a total of eight. Over those 12 years, they expanded their programs and increased their resident count. The Haven now has 70 residents, but to get more people with disabilities into a home requires time.

    “We can only do that when we have donations and philanthropy to build these homes,” Jones said.

    Carmona has decorated to make this room feel like his home, including hanging his Special Olympics ribbon.

    “It’s second place for bocce,” he said.

    This new room is a way for him to live a more independent life, a goal The Haven hopes to help many others achieve, too.

    To keep up with the demand, The Haven is also adding a ninth group home to its campus. It will be its biggest home yet at more than 6,000 square feet.

    It will be called “Jake’s Place.” That will break ground at the end of April, and The Haven is expanding on Desoto Road with their purchase of more land to build more housing.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Florida real estate agent talks dropping mortgage rates

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — One of the biggest steps in a person’s life is purchasing a home, but when mortgage rates are high, that can be quite difficult.

    For the last seven weeks, those rates have dropped.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mortgage rates have dropped seven weeks in a row

    • There are more homes on the market compared to last year

    • Rates are still higher than what they were a few years ago


    For seven years, real estate agent Stephanie Seacat has shown off all sorts of homes to prospective buyers and said there are always changes in the industry.

    “As those rates continue to go down, there’s going to be that frenzy again,” said Seacat. “Now is the time to buy and refinance down the road.”

    According to Mortgage Buyer Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year mortgage in January was just over 7%. This week, it is 6.63%.

    Even with rates dropping, mortgage rates are still quite a bit higher than what they were just a few years ago.

    There are other changes Seacat is noticing, such as fewer people at open houses.

    Last year, she would expect 10-15 people to come out, now 5-10 would be a good day.

    “I put another home on the market last week and we had about seven come through,” she said. “It also depends on price points of the home.”

    According to Realtor.com, there are more houses available to choose from for buyers compared to last year.

    Seacat said she’s seeing different types of buyers.

    “What we’re seeing is there’s a lot of local movement that’s happening in the market meaning locals are starting to buy and homes are starting to go pending so that’s a new trend that started to happen this year,” she said.

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    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

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    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.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Lakewood Ranch man settles on renting vs. buying home

    Lakewood Ranch man settles on renting vs. buying home

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    LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — After a Lakewood Ranch man spent more than a year looking for a house to buy due to a rising apartment rent, he’s now chosen to rent a home instead, saying prices are still too high.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mike Bean started looking to buy a home at the beginning of last year when his apartment rent increased, but settled on renting a home due to high prices

    • Lei Wedge, an associate professor of finance at USF, says she looked at the data in Manatee County and believes that right now, renting a house could make sense for some people

    • While Bean would still like to buy a house eventually, he’s content for now

    Mike Bean started looking to buy a home at the beginning of last year when his apartment rent increased by 13% from when he moved in during December 2021.  

    He says his rent was about $2,241 a month, which didn’t include other expenses like utilities.

    But when he found a house for rent, Mike did the math and said renting the house was actually a better deal for him than renting an apartment.

    Since then, he has gone from living in a 700-square-foot apartment to living in a house with more than 2,000 square feet.

    “If you take what I was paying in the apartment and add the storage fees, yes, the house is a little higher in price, but not significantly so,” said Bean. “So, it’s a definite benefit for me to be in a much bigger place and also make use of my furniture and enjoy living in a very nice home.”

    The extra space allowed him to get his belongings out of storage, cutting down on the money he was paying every month due to the lack of space in the apartment. Now, he can bring some of his most treasured items back into his life.

    “It’s great… This is my mother’s piano. It’s part of my family. This is the history of my family. My mother had this piano for years,” he said.

    Lei Wedge, an associate professor of finance at USF, says she looked at the data in Manatee County and believes that right now, renting a house could make sense for some people.

    “Active homes on the market have very high listing prices in Manatee County,” she said. “But if you look at the past six months, the homes that got rented, their actual closing prices are much, much lower than the asking rates. So, they keep reducing the rent until they get rented out.”

    Bean says for him, renting was a “doable” alternative.

    “The housing prices here in Florida have gone up quite a lot over the last five years,” he said. “So, people are a little reluctant to pay as high a price for the houses as they originally went up to. And so consequently, as homes have become available for rent, like the one I found here, people might choose that as an alternative to buying a home.”

    While Bean would still like to buy a house eventually, he’s content for now.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Housing project for Tampa veterans makes progress

    Housing project for Tampa veterans makes progress

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    EAST TAMPA — A tiny home village for East Tampa veterans has been approved. Ten homes will be brought online with a $500,000 project investment.

    What You Need To Know

    • Ten homes will be brought online with a $500,000 project investment.

    • Contractors have begun building eight homes, but the project is zoned for 10.

    • In 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs set goals to permanently house at least 41,000 homeless veterans and ensure that 95% of them do not return to homelessness within the year.


    Dr. Mark T. Jones Sr. founded Manifestations Worldwide Inc. 23 years ago.

    “Our vision is to provide spiritual training, leadership, education, jobs and affordable housing to our community,” said Jones.

    Jones said that the Tiny Home Village for Veterans had slow progress in the beginning but is finally getting off the ground two years later.

    “To build a tiny home village in the middle of East Tampa, it’s never been done before,” said Jones.

    “It took the city a while to sort out how it would fit into the framework of the community. But the good thing about it is that it’s patternable which means now people can take it and do it, which is what we want.”

    Contractors have begun building eight homes, but the project is zoned for 10.

    “There will be two buildings here, and the other six buildings will be here,” said Jones.

    In 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs set goals to permanently house at least 41,000 homeless veterans and ensure that 95% of them do not return to homelessness within the year. They also plan to engage with 40,000 unsheltered veterans to provide them with housing.

    “We find that veterans like to live alone,” said Jones.

    Jones says his Veteran Village makes that possible. Veterans accepted into the home with a voucher won’t have to pay rent, according to Jones. Tenants will also split the share of utilities and water.

    “We’re targeting veterans who’ve made sacrifices for our country, and this is one our churches give backs,” said Jones.

    Jones says this allows veterans to age in a secure, affordable home.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Riverside Village Estates homeowners win 40-acres of green space, but at a cost

    Riverside Village Estates homeowners win 40-acres of green space, but at a cost

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Homeowners at the Riverside Village Estates in Pasco County say they are rejoicing after winning a decades-long battle to preserve more than 40-acres of land in their community.

    The discussion of turning a wooded area into a multi-story development has ended after county commissioners and homeowners reached an agreement.

    What You Need To Know

    • Riverside Village Estates in Pasco County won their fight to keep 40 acres of land in their community from being developed

    • According to information from Pasco County, the deal will cost each resident $143 a year for the next 15 years, and then $25 a year after that, to keep the green space
    • The money during the first 15 years will go toward paying back the $3 million purchase price of the land, plus 0.05% interest; the $25 per year thereafter will fund overhead costs estimated to be around $43,000 per year

    • Original plans for developing housing were struck down after dozens of residents spoke out against the idea

    Pasco County commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 21 to approve a plan to keep the property undeveloped, but it will cost the residents in the area to keep the green space.

    Miriam Butler, the president of the Riverside Village Estates Homeowners Association, said she has been fighting to keep a 40-acre plot of land untouched for more than 10 years.

    In her home, she reflects on fighting for a piece of nature outside her front door.

    “That natural area — the conservation area — it really enhances the neighborhood and the quality of life that we have,” Butler said. “It’s quieter than it would be if it was fully developed.”

    Original plans for a housing development on the property were struck down after dozens of residents spoke out against the idea.

    “We see people from all the surrounding neighborhoods that do come into this neighborhood to walk and walk past the field and forests over there and some of them walk in it, too,” she said.

    The land will now stay in its natural state, but it will cost each resident around $143 a year for the next 15 years, and just shy of $25 a year after that. According to information from Pasco County, the money collected will go toward paying off the $3 million purchase price of the land, with 0.05% interest, over 15 years.

    The approximately $25 per year after that will fund overhead costs for maintaining the property, which are estimated to be around $43,000 per year.

    Butler said it’s a price she’s willing to pay.

    “Well worth it not to have the additional traffic, the cars going faster,” she said. “All the problems that could’ve come in with more congestion. And we had drainage issues.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Final vote on Citizens Insurance rate hike proposal

    Final vote on Citizens Insurance rate hike proposal

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    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. 

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    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

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    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.

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    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

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    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.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Villas at Carillon residents say HOA tabled vote on $60,000 special assessment

    Villas at Carillon residents say HOA tabled vote on $60,000 special assessment

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — People who live in the Villas at Carillon townhome community said a planned vote on a $60,000 per household special assessment was tabled Thursday evening.

    “I’m happy because it bought us some time. I’m sad that it had to come to this,” said resident Nancy Radde. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Villas at Carillon residents say a vote on a $60,000 special assessment was tabled Thursday night
    • A letter sent to neighbors earlier this month said the assessment was needed to pay for capital improvement projects
    • Some who live in the townhome community said they wanted the vote tabled to give the community time to come up with more cost effective solutions
    • Documents sent to residents say the community put off fully funding reserves for 20 years

    Radde was one of the residents in the community’s 165 townhomes to receive a letter earlier this month from property management company Management & Associates.

    The letter said a special homeowners association meeting would be held to vote for the special assessment, which would upgrade or repair things like roofs, garages, drainage, etc. for the entire neighborhood.

    It included a limited proxy ballot that listed four options residents could choose from to pay the assessment: pay $60,000 by July 1, 2025, in four quarterly installments of $15,000; pay $60,000 in 32 quarterly installments of $1,875 over eight years; pay $11,650 in four quarterly installments of $2,912.50 by July 1, 2025, for immediate repairs; and increasing HOA monthly dues from $575 to $1,200 for eight years, beginning in October.

    Documents said the option to pay $11,650 could mean homeowners would be assessed $48,000 to do the remainder of the work at a later date.

    “My reaction right away was, ‘Oh, my goodness, most people can’t afford that,’” said Radde.

    “I was in shock,” said resident Tammy Rodeffer. “I started texting all my neighbors, ‘Did you get this?’”

    Management & Associates told Spectrum News their lawyers advised them not to comment to media.

    Information included in the documents sent to residents says: “Our community has a 20-year history of waiving the decision to fully fund the Villas of Carillon Reserves. The Association is now at a critical point with respect to capital improvement projects requiring community-wide balcony repairs and waterproofing, garage flat roof replacement, and painting.”

    It said the association also needs to start raising money for barrel tile roofs.

    “We’ve been told that we need a new roof because we may not be able to get insurance,” said Rodeffer. “So, it’s kind of a couple of different things coming together all at once, but I don’t feel comfortable enough yet from the letter to make this type of decision yet.”

    Rodeffer and Radde said they wanted to see the measure tabled so the community could look into ways to bring down the cost of repairs.

    “The numbers quoted to come up with this amount, we believe, includes replacing the roof with the same type of roof we have today. So, we would like them to explore different types of roofs,” said Rodeffer.

    Spectrum News was not allowed inside Thursday’s special meeting, but it was packed.

    Residents lined up down the hallway outside the meeting room at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park.

    According to Radde and Rodeffer, 110 residents signed a petition asking that the vote be tabled. Radde said that’s what ultimately happened at the meeting, and the vote was not immediately rescheduled. She said the next step is for residents to get to work.

    “The first thing we’re going to do, unfortunately, is try to come up with a new board — to terminate this one, dissolve this one,” Radde said. “Come up with a new board, come up with several committees. We have some really great talent — people who know engineering, people who know finances.”

    She said neighbors have already talked about ideas for reducing costs and decreasing that $60,000 special assessment.

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Affordable housing community supports artists, offers onsite health care

    Affordable housing community supports artists, offers onsite health care

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    LAKELAND, Fla.  –The Lakeland Housing Authority reports that only three units are available for every 10 families who apply for low-income housing. 

    City officials state that they are making steady progress in addressing the housing shortage, with 17 affordable housing developments completed, totaling more than 1,000 units.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland’s latest developments are Swan Landing and Swan Lake Village by Blue Sky Communities, both of which are affiliates of Community-Assisted and Supported Living (CASL).

    • The Lakeland Housing Authority reports that only three units are available for every 10 families who apply for low-income housing.

    • The city of Lakeland contributed $1.5 million and Polk County gave $2.1 million to bring the Swan Lake Village and Swan Landing communities online.

    The latest developments are Swan Landing and Swan Lake Village by Blue Sky Communities, both of which are affiliates of Community-Assisted and Supported Living (CASL). These developments combine on-site behavioral health services, counseling and financial assistance.

    “Initially, most of our residents come from homelessness, so there’s a lot of trauma there. I can’t imagine living on the streets for 10 years. So when you give when you’re afforded an apartment, it’s a lifestyle change. So there’s a lot of changes they have to make,” said CASL Central Florida Regional Manager Taylor Thomas. “They have to adapt, and that’s something we help them with. We help them to adapt to their surroundings.”

    Swan Landing includes 39 one-bedroom units, 45 two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units, totaling 88 apartments for local families. Rents range between $430 to $1,590 a month for those making 30%-80% of AMI. Amenities include a clubhouse with a lounge, leasing offices, fitness center, swimming pool and a playground.

    Swan Lake Village has 84 units consisting of 48 one-bedrooms and 36 two-bedrooms with rents ranging from between $573 to $1,032 a month for those making 40%-60% of AMI.  Forty two units are for Permanent Supportive Housing for persons with a disability.  

    Affordable Housing Community supports artists

    Actor Edwin Watson expresses fulfilment in transitioning from corporate America to the stage, calling it a dream come true.

    He has had steady work for the last decade with roles in ‘Smoky Joe’s Cafe’, ‘Fences’, ‘Crowns’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

    “It was a wonderful experience being on that stage,” said Watson.

    Watson left Lakeland, his home base, and traveled often for shows. In between acting jobs, he secured short-term leases. He says this arrangement worked out for him until the pandemic.

    “I returned to find that the rent had doubled in my apartment and tripled in other places,” Watson said. “Since my salary wasn’t three times the rent, I couldn’t afford it.”

    Watson mentioned that pandemic closures also affected the performing arts industry and that he struggled to find work. He was able to secure affordable housing with community assistance and supported living.

    “This is my home recording studio,” he reveals a closet with his audio equipment.

    Watson went from experiencing homelessness to having a two-bedroom apartment where he can also work doing voice-overs.

    It provides extra income that is helpful when he is not on the stage.

    He mentioned that there are some misconceptions about people in affordable housing programs.

    “That people aren’t working, that people aren’t trying, you know, that they’re just relying on the government. And it’s not that. It’s that everybody has priced us out,” he added.

    He says the life of an actor is unpredictable, but he now has some stability through secure housing.

    The city of Lakeland contributed $1.5 million and Polk County gave $2.1 million to bring the Swan Lake Village and Swan Landing communities online.

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    Fadia Patterson

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