YFA to build affordable housing and support center

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — With a lack of safe and affordable housing being one of the primary reasons preventing families from reuniting with their kids in foster care, the recently approved $1.5 million in the state budget will allow Youth & Family Advocates (YFA), a child welfare agency serving 6,000 kids in West-Central Florida, to put families first in the fight for affordable housing.

YFA is planning to break ground early next year on its Speer II housing complex in New Port Richey, which will feature 50 new units with one to three bedrooms.

It’s designed to serve 110 families, children and youth aging out of foster care. The goal is to assist families at risk of separation or foster care because of housing challenges, and minimize the trauma of family separation, according to YFA officials.

“Safe for the children, safe for the family and something affordable for the family is critical for them to be successful in reunifying,” said YFA President and CEO Mark Wickham.

“It’s the number one issue that our case managers talk about in terms of getting in the way of reunifying families. The latest statistic is that a person working minimum wage in this community would need to work 119 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom unit. Well, that’s three full-time positions,” Wickham continued.

Providing comprehensive support and wraparound services to ensure stability and success is also a key focus through YFA’s planned 35,000 square foot Center for Children and Families, which will be built on Plathe Road across the street from the affordable housing complex on 10-acres of land owned by the nonprofit.

YFA describes the project as a safety net and community hub for families to receive streamlined access to child welfare services and caseworkers.

“It’s bringing together essential services and several agencies all under one roof, including Family Support Services, the lead child welfare agency for foster care and adoptions in Pasco and Pinellas, our case management program, and other not-for-profits to support families in this community. We also have Premier Health just up the road and an elementary school within walking distance. So, everything here is within a small area that anybody can walk to or be able to easily catch transportation,” said Wickham.

The Speer II affordable housing complex will serve low-income families making 30% to 80% of the area median income.

In addition to the $1.5 million in the state budget approved by Governor Desantis and sponsored by Republican State Senator Ed Hooper and Republican State Representative Brad Yeager this year, Pasco County and the Florida Department of Children & Families provided another $1.5 million in funding for both projects.

“We are committed to building safe, affordable housing in this community, and Pasco County Commissioners are all on board for projects like this and getting them done.”

Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Sumter, Highlands and Hardee counties are also part of YFA’s seven-county service area, and Wickham hopes to expand these projects beyond New Port Richey to their other counties in the near future.