Pinellas County celebrates two affordable housing developments
Pinellas County Commissioners joined Boley Centers, Inc. and Pinellas Affordable Living, Inc. on Friday to celebrate the first of two affordable apartment communities recently completed to house 41 individuals and families who were previously homeless.
County officials gathered at Evergreen Village, 6641 62nd Ave. N., Pinellas Park, which includes 21 apartment homes, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units for people who are homeless and affected by disabilities.
A second event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28, at Butterfly Grove, 506 Grove Street, St. Petersburg, another Boley Centers housing development that includes 20 apartments for people who have experienced prolonged homelessness and have mental health disabilities.
Both apartment communities will offer onsite assistance and services for residents through Boley Centers.
The County supported the projects with more than $1 million in State Apartment Incentive Loan funds and federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds combined with more than $9 million from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
“The high cost of housing is a long-term challenge for our residents,” said Pinellas County Commission Chairman Charlie Justice.
“That’s why Pinellas County and our partners are committed to finding long-term solutions, whether it’s helping those without a home find safety and stability, or ensuring our essential workers can find an affordable place to rent or buy right here in our community.”
The two apartment developments are the latest projects completed in a countywide effort to bring more affordable homes to communities across Pinellas. In 2022 alone, five affordable developments have been completed providing 223 new homes to local residents, with another five projects with 755 units currently approved or under construction.
Pinellas County and city partners support preservation, rehabilitation and new construction of affordable homes using a mix of federal, state and local funding sources, including more than $80 million set aside from the County’s portion of the Penny for Pinellas sales tax renewal.
Countywide Housing Compact
To address the ongoing challenge of housing costs, the County has also joined with Forward Pinellas and a growing number of local municipalities in the Advantage Pinellas Countywide Housing Compact, an agreement to develop and implement long-term solutions to housing affordability. Learn more about local affordable housing programs at advantagepinellas.org/homes-for-pinellas/.