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Tag: APP Housing

  • Study: St. Pete historic home values increased at a higher rate

    Study: St. Pete historic home values increased at a higher rate

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A nonprofit organization called “Preserve the ‘Burg” in St. Petersburg recently conducted a study on the economic impact of historic properties in the city.

    According to Place Economics, homes located in St. Petersburg’s historic districts have experienced higher rates of increase in value compared to the rest of the city.

    What You Need To Know

    • A nonprofit organization called “Preserve the Burg” in St. Petersburg recently conducted a study on the economic impact of historic properties in the city

    • According to Place Economics, homes located in St. Petersburg’s historic districts have experienced higher rates of increase in value compared to the rest of the city

    • Historic district home value rates increased at 119.3% per square foot compared to 85.2% for other St. Petersburg homes

    • Preserve the ‘Burg Executive Director Manny Leto says between 2010 to 2020, jobs on Central Avenue grew by more than 50% compared to the city’s 17% job growth during the same time

    Historic district home value rates increased at 119.3% per square foot compared to 85.2% for other St. Petersburg homes.

    Alec Smith is a specialist architect in historic preservation and renovation. This type of work requires compliance with building codes that are specifically designed for historic properties.

    “These are just kind of some snippets of a project we were working on for a new accessory dwelling unit behind a historic home,” he said while sharing his sketches.

    He draws up his designs in his office, which is situated in his historic home that he renovated.

    “It’s over 100 years old. We are located in Historic Kenwood,” said Smith. “Our home has more than quadrupled in value since owning it in the last 12 years.”

    Alec is not the only homeowner benefitting from his investment.

    A study by Place Economics says home property values in St. Pete’s historic districts have increased at a higher rate than the rest of the city.

    According to the study, lower rent in older buildings on Central Avenue has contributed to the success of small businesses.

    Preserve the ‘Burg Executive Director Manny Leto says between 2010 to 2020, jobs on Central Avenue grew by more than 50% compared to the city’s 17% job growth during the same time. 

    Leto says the study also looked at how historic buildings can help with affordable housing.

    “When we’re talking about affordable housing, we often talk about new, but another component of affordability is keeping your existing stock,” said Leto.

    Principal Donovan Rypkema of Place Economics argues that the idea that additional regulations for historic preservation harm property values is disproven by the study.

    “The other side, however, is of all the city-level studies we’ve done. St Petersburg has the lowest share of them under the protection of the local preservation order,” said Rypkema. “That means most of the historic resources here have no protection at all. They’re at risk of being torn down tomorrow.”

    He explains that the study provides evidence that can be used for advocacy and policy decisions. Meanwhile, Smith supports preserving old structures that give character to the evolving community.

    “I think, you know, with a little bit of love, these homes can last for another hundred years easily because of the quality of materials that were put in them originally,” he said. “You know, those materials don’t exist anymore. We cut down all the forests to build these beautiful homes, but we should take advantage of the old-growth lumber that is built into these homes to keep it to maintain them.”

    Smith says when dealing with historic homes, it’s a guaranteed investment in a solid foundation.

    Discussions about preserving historic communities will continue at the Pinellas Historic Preservation Summit on May 17.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Plans for Lecanto development on pause as questions remain

    Plans for Lecanto development on pause as questions remain

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    LECANTO, Fla. — Plans for a new housing development have been put on pause.

    What You Need To Know

    • Citrus County Planning and Development Commission (PDC) have voted to pause construction of a new development called ‘The Crossings’

    • ‘The Crossings’ is a proposed large-scale residential-commercial project located off County Road 491, offering housing for teachers and government workers
    • The 207-acre plot sits off of Lecanto Highway, but it’s a project that has received backlash from local homeowners
    • Commission members have said the plans for the project are too vague and want more answers before making any recommendation to county commissioners

    Earlier this month, Citrus County Planning and Development Commission (PDC) voted in favor of temporarily stopping ‘The Crossings’ development because the developer said he needs some more time to answer questions about it.

    ‘The Crossings’ is a proposed large-scale residential-commercial project located off County Road 491. It would offer more housing for teachers and government workers. The 207-acre plot sits off of Lecanto Highway.

    But it’s a project that is getting some backlash from neighbors.

    “The development itself doesn’t sound horrible, but it’s going to be literally in my backyard and that’s my concern,” said Cheryl Howard.

    Howard lives on King B Street, which neighbors the site of the proposed development. She says she and her family moved to Citrus County for the comfort of wide-open space, an idea that might now be in jeopardy.

    “We came from Collier and Lee County which has a huge population down there. It’s kind of overtaken by out-of-staters,” said Howard. “We wanted to give our kids a chance to have a little bit more space and freedom.”

    The 207-acre development would sit next to the Lecanto school complex north of the emergency operations center. It would provide about 400 single-family homes, 300 townhomes and 300 apartments — but butting up right next to Howard’s property.

    “Our animals are 20 feet away from the property line and they’re going to be 10 feet on the other side and that’s going to interfere,” Howard said. “We have a slope in our yard on the backside of the property that slopes, and I’m concerned about their water running off, their ran runoffs. We already have our own problems with washouts.”

    Being on Howard’s property, you can see what she means. The family is secluded on their very own farm.

    “I think it will really impact our peacefulness, our little slice of heaven. I call it that. We came here to build that for our children and I think that would really impact that,” says Howard.

    Howard says she’s not against the idea of development, just this location in particular may not be an ideal fit.

    “Animals, agriculture, schools, they’ll all be affected by it,” she said. “It’s just, like I said, fine to have a development come to our area. We need some nice homes, but this is the worst spot to pick.”

    Some commission members have said the plans for the project are too vague and want more answers before making any recommendation to county commissioners.

    No date has been announced to revisit the issue.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Durham homeless woman calls Supreme Court case ‘scary’

    Durham homeless woman calls Supreme Court case ‘scary’

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    DURHAM, N.C — The Supreme Court of the United States is weighing a case that could impact the homeless population.  

    The issue at hand is whether people who sleep in public parks should be charged with a crime.

    What You Need To Know

    • Supreme Court hearing arguments on making it criminal for homeless people to sleep in public parks
    • Homelessness increased 12% between 2022 and 2023
    • A Durham homeless woman says the Supreme Court case is “scary to think about”

    Last week, Spectrum News 1 joined with Housing for New Hope employees in Durham as they handed out supplies at a local encampment.

    A homeless woman at one of the camps said the Supreme Court case was almost too difficult to think about.

    “Making it criminal just to be homeless altogether and have camp, I’d be in jail. We’d all be in jail, and that’s scary to think about,” Stormie Tingle, who is homeless in Durham, said.

    Tingle said she’d lived at the encampment for several months.

    “I’ve liked living here as much as you can, being homeless and being in a camp,” Tingle said.

    But what might be beneficial, in relative terms now, could soon turn bad.

    “We think we have a lot of people in jail now, were gonna have a whole lot more,” Tingle said.

    Tingle is talking about Monday’s Supreme Court case concerning the homelessness crisis.

    The case could have far-reaching consequences for how cities address their homeless populations.

    Homelessness increased 12% between 2022 and 2023, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

    Now, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments from people living in Grants Pass, Oregon, which has a poverty population of over 15%.

    This is a reality she’d rather not think about as she grapples with the prospect of possibly being jailed.

    “Criminal to be homeless is, uh, you know, everybody to me is just one paycheck away from being exactly where I am. Let them not get that paycheck and find a job after that. What are they gonna do?” Tingle explained.

    The Supreme Court hearing coincides with the highest reported level of homelessness ever. 

    Last year’s point-in-time count, which follows the homeless population, found about 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness across the country.

    That’s up about 70,000 people from the year before.  

    The Supreme Court is expected to announce a final decision on this case in June. 

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    Evan Sery

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  • Raleigh realtor aims to boost Black homeownership

    Raleigh realtor aims to boost Black homeownership

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    A Raleigh realtor talks about boosting Black homeownership in the Triangle.

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    Siobhan Riley

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  • New state rules could be coming for short-term vacation rentals

    New state rules could be coming for short-term vacation rentals

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    INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — A bill that would provide a standard set of rules for all short-term rentals in the state of Florida passed in both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives and now awaits approval from Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bill includes grandfather clause for local ordinances introduced before 2016

    • Occupancy limits include two people per bedroom and two additional people in one common area with few exceptions

    • Vacation rentals must be registered for “reasonable fee”

    • FULL TEXT: SB 280

    SB 280 passed by a small margin in the House and included a new amendment that grandfathers in local vacation rental ordinances that were made by city governments prior to 2016.

    State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, one of the bill’s sponsors, says a key piece of this version of the bill was it clearly states how many people are allowed to stay at an Airbnb or Vrbo type rental.

    “We talk about these party homes and these folks who are violating local ordinances with parking, noise, and trash and it’s impossible not to correlate that with occupancy,” he said.

    The bill states maximum overnight occupancy is two people per bedroom, plus an additional two people in one common area. The exception is there can be more than two people per bedroom if the rooms are large and there’s at least 50 square feet of space per person.

    It also requires that owners pay a reasonable registration fee, have someone available over the phone at all times to respond to complaints, and lets local governments suspend a rental’s registration for repeatedly breaking city rules.

    “The main goal was to create a uniform set of regulations, some consistency and some predictability,” DiCeglie said. “I think there are ordinances in the state that go too far that have invited dozens of lawsuits and invited Bert Harris claims… tens of million of dollars in taxpayer money goes towards defending these lawsuits.”

    Indian Rocks Beach Mayor Cookie Kennedy has been vocal about the bill as it worked its way through the legislature. Before its approval, she stated it was an overstep and that there shouldn’t be a one size fits all solution given how different Florida’s cities are.

    Communities like Vilano Beach, located near St. Augustine, have residents writing to the governor asking he veto the bill for similar reasons.

    If signed into law, the bill will go into effect on July 1.

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    Angie Angers

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  • House bill providing mobile home owners more protections passes

    House bill providing mobile home owners more protections passes

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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Mobile home owners will get a financial break and protections now that House Bill 613 is passed.

    What You Need To Know

    • District 47 Rep. Paula Stark sponsored House Bill 613
    • The bill addresses property rental increase notifications, shortening wait times for mediation and allowing seniors to have live-in aides in their homes without paying additional rent
    • According to Statista, Florida ranks third in the country for the number of mobile home parks
    • Once signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the new law would become effective July 1

    House Bill 613 addresses property rental increase notifications, shortens wait times for mediation and allows seniors to have live-in aides in their homes without paying additional rent.

    One of the most significant benefits of living in a mobile home park has been affordability.

    These parks typically have lower monthly fees than traditional apartments or homes, making them a budget-friendly option, especially for seniors on a fixed income.

    “Everything is changing,” said mobile homeowner Rozaa Cardero. “The mobile home park is supposed to be for people who do not have a lot of money for the low income, but now it’s just not affordable for the low-income person.”

    Cardero says her lot rent has gone up. And she is paying additional medical fees since fracturing both legs.

    She still walks with a limp and is unable to work full-time.

    “It’s painful, it’s broken here and here,” she said while pointing to the cast on her foot.

    She supports House Bill 613 and said it could benefit her as she lives out her golden years in a mobile home.

    Cardero says that having long-term guests in her community is discouraged.

    “If somebody is coming to your house, you have to tell the office,” she said.

    District 47 Rep. Paula Stark sponsored the bill and says not all mobile home parks are members of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, so they may not follow existing laws to protect these residents.

    “With inaction, this may be another way that we may increase our homelessness,” Stark said. “Voting up on this bill helps give a pathway to mobile home residents to have a voice in their circumstances and clarifies resources that are available to them as they age out in their homes.“

    Cardero says this is an issue that has been overlooked for too long.

    According to Statista, Florida ranks third in the country for the number of mobile home parks.

    “If they had more protections for us, I think more people would stay in mobile homes,” said Cardero. “People that don’t have the money to pay on time, they give you (an) eviction.”

    Once signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the new law would become effective July 1.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Home sales in Citrus County seeing a spike

    Home sales in Citrus County seeing a spike

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    CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — Home sales in Citrus County are seeing a spike in this new year. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Data from the Florida Realtors Report shows almost a 14% increase in the sale of single-family homes for the month of January compared to last year

    • There was a total of 222 sales during the month — up from 195 sales at the same time last year

    • With the number of buyers buying rising, so too did the number of homes going up for sale

    Data from the Florida Realtors Report shows almost a 14% increase in the sale of single-family homes for the month of January compared to last year. A total of 222 sales were recorded for the month — which is up from 195 sales at the same time last year.

    Local real estate agent Judy McCoy says it’s a recipe for real estate success.

    And right now that recipe has proven to be in high-demand.

    “We have more sellers with more homes out there, so we’ve had a big increase in the number of sales, but we still have homes for sale,” said McCoy, a real estate agent with Century 21 J.W. Morton.

    In the previous few months, the real estate market was very different, she said.

    “I think a lot of buyers, and we still see a little bit of this, were anxious,” McCoy said. “You can’t blame anybody. They were very anxious about what was happening in the economy, where was it going to go, and it was very slow in November and December.”

    With the number of homes for sale increasing, so too did the number of buyers. But Mccoy said times like these don’t typically last for long.

    “We do anticipate seeing a decrease in the interest rates. The thing about that though, for buyers to know, is that when interest rates go down, prices normally go up,” she said. “As I mentioned before, what you might want to do to get the best of both worlds, is right now the prices are really good. Very good prices. You won’t see prices like this again.”

    And for those currently in the market to buy, McCoy has a few helpful tips.

    “Be well defined, get professional help — you’ll be glad you did — and the third thing about buying a house is an investment value,” she says. “I don’t think Florida real estate is going to go anywhere but up and up and up.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Best friends experience first-time homeownership as neighbors

    Best friends experience first-time homeownership as neighbors

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, Black homeownership still lags behind white homeownership by almost 30%, despite recent increases.

    This disparity can be attributed to systemic factors, such as redlining and inequitable access to mortgage credit. To address this, Habitat for Humanity launched the “Advancing Black Homeownership” initiative, which aims to dismantle the bias that has prevented Black families from accessing intergenerational wealth.

    What You Need To Know

    • Childhood friends Nikkita Houston and Marita Harris both experienced homeownership for the first time after going through Habitat’s program

    • According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, Black homeownership still lags behind white homeownership by almost 30%, despite an increase in Black homeownership

    • Over the course of its 45-year history, Habitat has worked to help close the homeownership gap

    • In 2021, 43% of the families who partnered with Habitat to build homes were Black

    Childhood friends Nikkita Houston and Marita Harris both experienced homeownership for the first time after going through Habitat’s program.

    Over the course of its 45-year history, Habitat has worked to help close the homeownership gap. In 2021, 43% of the families who partnered with Habitat to build homes were Black.

    “This is my first time owning a home,” said Houston. “So, being a divorced mom, you know, I didn’t know what was going to be possible.” 

    Houston is building a home for herself and her two children with the help of Habitat for Humanity.

    “I’m so excited about my new space, about my new home, because it’s much more than a house,” said Houston. “Habitat homes are not free. They are a 0% interest loan. So we will have a mortgage, though, but it will be affordable, and that is exciting.”

    She says that it’s not only about changing the address, but it’s also about creating a community.

    Marita Harris also signed up for Habitat for Humanity with the support of Houston.

    “I didn’t really think it was attainable for me just because of the economy that we are in,” said Harris.

    The childhood friends found out they were going to be neighbors last May when Habitat for Humanity surprised them with lots beside each other.

    “When you’re friends with somebody for so long, you might not talk every day. You might not see each other every day. But we always have that connection,” said Harris. “So for us to come back full circle and be living next to each other as neighbors. Absolutely amazing.”

    Both women have invested over 350 hours of sweat equity into building their dream homes. Soon, they will create new memories in their homes.

    “It’s really a dream come true,” Houston. “It’s so much bigger than me and Rita and our kids like because we are such dedicated mothers. I know she is a dedicated mother. I know I’m a dedicated mother and the things that we do for our children and to be able to give them everything that they deserve and more.”

    As mothers, the two aim to lead by example and provide their children with access to generational wealth.

    “When the inevitable happens, and I leave this earth, it’ll be my son’s, and he can have this home, and he can continue the legacy that Habitat has brought us,” said Harris.

    They’re grateful to not only stand side by side as friends, but now neighbors as well.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Resilient home designs on the rise

    Resilient home designs on the rise

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — The risk of hurricanes is often top of mind for residents along the coast, making more resilient construction an appealing option for home buyers.

    “The first thing you think about is hurricanes,” said William Fullford, who moved to Florida from Virginia Beach about a year ago. “Everybody does, and we wanted to make sure no matter where it was, the house was going to be safe.”

    What You Need To Know

    • A new development in Bradenton boasts hurricane resistant homes

    • It’s construction that experts are calling the wave of the future, as more and more builders factor in the effects of climate change

    • At the Florida Flood Hub, researchers are analyzing data on rainfall and sea level rise, with the goal of helping communities adapt infrastructure

    Fullford bought his home in the up-and-coming Hunter’s Point development in Bradenton.

    Designed by Pearl Homes, the new constriction boasts homes strong enough to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Each one is built with 2×6 lumber, equipped with hurricane straps and powered by solar energy.

    “We have 2400 watts and the backup power buffer is 20 percent so we’re guaranteed pretty much having power all the time,” Fullford described of his system.

    Mark Gobuty, the associate developer for Hunter’s Point, said changes were even made to the land the homes were built on.

    “We added at least 6 feet of soil, packing it in and then having a design that gave us 14 feet above sea level before having what we call an enclosed space,” Gobuty said.

    It’s construction that experts are calling the wave of the future, as more and more builders factor in the effects of climate change.

    At the Florida Flood Hub, researchers are analyzing data on rainfall and sea level rise, with the goal of helping communities adapt infrastructure.

    Preliminary results from the Hub’s first ever sea level rise report show Florida can expect about a foot of sea level rise by 2050, based on data collected since the year 2000.

    Charles Jacoby, the Hub’s strategic program director, said that means the potential for increased coastal flooding, something to keep in mind when investing in a home.

    “It’s factoring in these changes that are coming,” Jacoby said. “If you really want to live by the water, you take all the steps necessary to keep yourself safe. Keep your home safe.”

    From his Hunter’s Point deck, Fullford said the construction of his home has given him just that — a retirement with both water views and peace of mind.

    “Just really lucky to have this and again, not worry about it,” Fullford said.

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    Cait McVey

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  • Shipping container homes on the rise in Citrus County

    Shipping container homes on the rise in Citrus County

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    HOMOSASSA, Fla. — Shipping container homes are quickly becoming a hot commodity in Citrus County, and owners say downsizing and affordability are just some of the reasons behind it.

    What You Need To Know

    • With shipping container homes on the rise in Citrus County, officials are suggesting a process to monitor construction

    • Officials have suggested the homes should be built on a proper foundation, just like a regular home

    • One company specializes in building the homes, outfitting them with plumbing, electric and HVAC

    • It’s about a six-month process, from build to move-in ready

    But officials are raising concerns about the manner in which they are built. Citrus County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard spoke of his worries during a commission meeting Tuesday, saying the county should have a process in place for making sure homes are completed in a timely manner.

    “For making sure that they are completed, completed in a reasonable time, and that we don’t have a hobbyist out there cutting holes in the side of a shipping container with a hacksaw on the weekends deciding that someday it might be a home for them,” Kinnard said.

    There is one group in Citrus County that specializes in converting shipping containers into homes.

    Resting on top of a sandy mound in Homosassa sits Darren Nichter’s latest project — a shipping container that will soon be a home.

    “I think that’s what attracts people a lot to it is not only the cost savings, but also doing a little DIY project as well,” Nichter said.

    Nichter is a managing partner of Citrus Container Park, specializing in turning a standard high cube shipping container into an affordable living space.

    “When you get through that welding and making sure the container and the structure is strong again, it’s really built out like a normal home,” he said. “We frame 2×4 walls on the inside out of wood. That’s where you run your plumbing and electric.”

    Containers are outfitted with plumbing, electric and HVAC. The foundation slab work, Nichter said, is done by licensed contractors.

    “To do it properly, they need to be on a foundation, they need to be secured,” he said. “There are flat sides to them and in a bad storm they are going to get hit. That is the reasoning why he’s bringing it up — that they’re not just dropped on the ground, that they’re done correctly.”

    It’s about a six-month process from the build until it is move-in ready, Nichter said. Architect stamped drawings are permitted through the county, ensuring proper building protocols are followed.

    “There’s a lot of myths out there about what it takes to do one of these, and they just make it seem like it’s just so easy, that you can live off the grid and it should only cost $10,000 to do one of these,” he said. “When that is the farthest from the truth.”

    It’s a unique way to live that is starting to catch on.

    “I don’t think they’re going to replace traditional homes, but I think they’re going to become more prevalent,” Nichter said. “Especially with some of the building costs coming down.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Homeowners speak against development at Pine Ridge Golf Club

    Homeowners speak against development at Pine Ridge Golf Club

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    BEVERLY HILLS, Fla. — The Citrus County Board of Commissioners took public comment Tuesday on what to do with the vacant Pine Ridge Golf Club.

    What You Need To Know

    • The future of the once former Pine Ridge Golf Club is up for discussion with the Citrus County Board of Commissioners

    • Talks of building new townhomes as well as senior living apartments on the property have begun

    • Some homeowners in the area are against the idea and would like to see other plans be made for the former golf course

    There are talks of building new townhomes as well as senior living apartments on the property. But not everyone is in agreement. One homeowner has some strong feelings for the former golf course.

    “Even if it’s left natural, people are fine with that,” said Linnea Johnson, who has called Pine Ridge home for 17 years.

    Johnson says she’s worried about potential noisy neighbors in her backyard, as her property ends where the old golf course begins.

    “It’s like 50 feet from here to our pool screen,” she said.

    For a couple of years now, the golf course has sat vacant. But after a recent purchase in 2021, its new owner has plans to make it relevant again.

    “He wants to put a separate housing development in the middle of Pine Ridge and gate it,” said Johnson.

    It’s what’s sparked Johnson to get involved. She and a few other homeowners in the area have started petitioning against any development on the property.

    “To me, the green space is what it’s all about,” she said. “I mean, look at these beautiful big oak trees. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. If it can’t be brought back as a golf course, just let it be nature or maybe even part of a park or something. Just for the wildlife.”

    Johnson was one of many to speak out against the plan Tuesday night at a commission meeting in Citrus County. A vote has yet to be held on the matter.

    A vote, Johnson says, that is important not only to other homeowners but others who call the area home.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Port Richey mother of 7 turns to living in hotels amid housing crisis

    Port Richey mother of 7 turns to living in hotels amid housing crisis

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    PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The housing crisis is taking a toll on its Florida residents — especially those in the Pasco County area.

    What You Need To Know

    • Courtney Jackson pays $500 a week in hotels

    • She says it’s her only alternative that she can afford due to inflation and housing crisis
    • Jackson says organizations that she has turned to in the past aren’t able to offer the same level of support because they have so many requests for assistance

    Spending a day at the playground might be the norm for many families, but it’s a special treat for Courtney Jackson and her kids.

    “To get out, it’s really nice being in one room. A lot, my kids like to be outside, don’t like to be cooped up,” she said.

    The playground brings back happy memories — they used to go there all the time.

    But recently, their visits have been limited. Last March, the family became homeless and lost their car. It was not the first time the single mother of seven has experienced homelessness, but she says it’s now even harder to find housing.

    “It’s extremely difficult. Landlords have increased their rent quite a bit, and they are asking for so much money down to move in,” she said.

    Over the past nine months, she and her family have lived in several hotels. All eight family members share one room with two beds, which costs about $500 per week.

    “It’s hard financially to save for a house, a car and seven kids,” Jackson said. “It’s hard to do at once with very little help out there.”

    She says organizations that she has turned to in the past aren’t able to offer the same level of support because they have so many requests for assistance. But whenever the family can, they take advantage of community resources like the free library pantry.   

    “Just spending quality time with them and kind of getting away from the situation we are dealing with and the stress of everything. They understand what’s going on. Trying to make sure things get better soon,” Jackson said.

    She also works multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

    I have two jobs right now, and I’m looking for a third to try and save because I can’t save anything because everything I have goes to my kids,” she said.

    Jackson said her sister, Berkley, has been a lifeline. The family goes to her trailer often.

    “She’s done a lot. She’s pretty much gotten me through everything,” Jackson said.

    Jackson says this situation is tough on the kids. She’s doing everything she can to get back on her feet.

    “I hope we can find a house soon. It’s much easier to stay in a house than trying to get a car to get back to normalcy,” she said.

    She still has hope for something better, despite the obstacles she faces every day.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Inverness homeowners feeling forgotten as issues arise

    Inverness homeowners feeling forgotten as issues arise

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    CITRUS CO., Fla. — Homeowners in a new community in Inverness say they’re feeling forgotten about.

    It comes as “Inverness Village 4” development continues and as more homes go up, roads are showing signs of wear-and-tear in combination with flooding and drainage issues.

    What You Need To Know

    • Homeowners in Inverness Village 4 say issues have been mounting in the new community with drainage and flooding problems

    • Roads and driveways also appear cracked, as homeowners have noticed shifting

    • A large fissure has also appeared in one neighbor’s backyard, a worrisome sight for other homeowners in the area

    “The main concern that people are worried about is losing their homes to some sort of shifting and the drainage and flooding,” said resident Karleen Sempert.

    Since September, Sempert has called Inverness Village 4 ‘home.’ She bought her property back in May, after living thru Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers.

    “We looked all over the State of Florida,” said Sempert. “We definitely wanted to be away from the coast because of the flooding. But when we drove around and visited all of the places, we loved Inverness just because it was a very small, cute town. We’re originally from the country, and it’s a beautiful area.”

    But since moving in, issues have followed, coming with a warning. As homeowners have posted signs- warning potential buyers of a risk.

    “The more research that I did, I did discover that the drainage was not in place,” says Sempert. “Now what we’re having is homes are suffering with shifting areas. It’s mostly in the land.”

    Taking a drive around the community, you can see what Sempert is talking about. With drainage pipes lying in trenches. An issue these homeowners have taken to the county.

    “Basically, what they’re saying is, because the builder does not have the proper permits from the water management district, they can’t hold up a permit for construction of a home,” said Sempert.

    Elsewhere in the community, further evidence of shifting land is in sight. In a neighbor’s backyard, a large trench has formed.

    “All of that sand that’s there right now is just flushed through and is, eventually, going to make its way to her pool,” said Sempert.

    A worrisome sight for Sempert looming in the back of her mind. Imposing as a potential outcome if something is not done soon. But Sempert is keeping belief.

    “We feel abandoned out here,” she says. “But I truly believe the harder we push and the more we can work together with the county.”

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    Calvin Lewis

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