Thrive
Construction begins on Palm Lake affordable housing project
Palm Lake Christian Church’s affordable housing project is targeted to be complete by the end of next year.
The Pinellas County Housing Authority and Palm Lake Christian Church, in collaboration with Newstar Development, LLC, have started construction on the Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary (PLUS) project in the Disston Heights neighborhood.
Located at 5401 22nd Avenue N., adjacent to the church, the three-story building will include 86 affordable housing units for individuals and families who earn up to 80% of the area median income.
The target completion date for the project is Dec. 31, 2026, Newstar Development president Brian Evjen told the Catalyst.
“There’s a critical need for attainable and workforce housing in St. Pete, and I think it’s always great when we can provide that,” he said.
For Palm Lake lead pastor Oscar Banks, the project is a way to engage with the community.
“We just saw that we have land that’s underutilized, and why not use it to actually build housing for those who are in need,” he explained. “We’re not just about words. We want to play an active role in really supporting and uplifting the members of our community.”
Banks hopes that PLUS will inspire other affordable housing projects in St. Pete. “We are a splash in the bucket,” he said. “We’re just an extremely small part of a whole big picture of what the community needs.”
The development has long been in the works, with community engagement discussions dating back to 2022. In 2023, a plan for the project was approved by the City of St. Petersburg.
While the project will be mainly funded by Bank of America through construction and permanent loans as well as a low-income housing tax credit, the City will contribute more than $1,500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
PLUS was the first affordable housing development to be approved since a new City ordinance, No. 485-H, was created in relation to Florida House Bill 1339. The bill gives local governments the ability to authorize affordable housing projects on any residential, commercial or industrial-zoned land.
The Palm Lake Christian Church property, which is currently zoned in a neighborhood suburban district, was initially only allowed to have single-family residences. The new state and city rules have made the development possible.
“It’s a great public-private partnership,” Evjen said.
The development will be an energy-efficient building, he added, with 129 parking spaces. A garden area and playground are also planned.
“PLUS isn’t just about creating housing – it’s about creating belonging,” said Neil Brickfield, Executive Director of the Pinellas County Housing Authority, in a prepared statement.
“This project aligns deeply with our core values of innovation, accountability and integrity. We are proud to support a development that’s not only affordable but transformational for the people it serves.”
Linda Marr
August 27, 2025at5:21 pm
Palm Lake “Christian” Church:
Take a look at the community of Lealman.
They are building single family homes, instead of cell block housing.
This is what the community needs.
How will the children of cell block housing feel going to the school next door?
Cruel
Linda Marr
August 23, 2025at10:09 pm
Please help preserve
“Disston Heights is considered St. Petersburg’s oldest and largest neighborhood, known for its elevated, flood-resistant “high ground” and development from the 1950s onward. Named for Hamilton Disston, the developer who purchased vast tracts of Florida land in the 1880s, the neighborhood was subdivided and built out in the mid-20th century, resulting in a large area of modest, sturdy homes.”
Linda Marr
August 12, 2025at8:38 pm
DOGE
Please investigate! This was pushed through by the city with no concern to the community’s concerns.