County dedicates $8 million to affordable housing projects

Affordable housing projects in Largo and St. Petersburg received a $7.94 million boost from Pinellas County officials Tuesday afternoon.

County commissioners unanimously approved the appropriations, which will support a combined 164 homes for low-income households. The total cost for the two developments is nearly $70 million.

The Pinellas County Housing Authority previously committed $7 million to each project. The commission’s investment, part of Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, received approval without discussion.

After the meeting, Commissioner Charlie Justice credited partners in Largo and St. Petersburg for collectively addressing the ongoing affordability crisis.

“The situation is real, and it’s up to all of us to play our role to meet the need,” Justice told the Catalyst. “I look forward to seeing the ribbon cutting and folks moving into brand new homes.”

Those folks will be residents earning less than 80% of the area median income (AMI). That equates to $53,500 for a single person and $76,400 for a family of four.

Orlando-based Archway Partners, a prolific local affordable housing developer, will oversee both projects. The firm’s Flats on 4^th development in St. Petersburg’s Gateway area received $2.9 million from the Penny for Pinellas sales tax for land acquisition.

Flats on 4^th will cater to low-income households earning just 30% to 60% of the AMI, or roughly $26,000 to $39,000 annually for a single person. The $37.5 million development will sit on the corner of 4^th Street and 106^th Avenue North.

The Flats on 4th project will provide 80 units for people earning less than 60% of the area median income. Screengrab, city documents.

The City of St. Petersburg has dedicated $4.39 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the project. The Development Review Commission approved Archway’s plans and density bonuses in March.

Flats on 4^th will feature a four-story L-shaped building with 52 one-bedroom and 28 two-bedroom apartments. The homes will sit atop a podium structure to mitigate flooding threats, and feature granite countertops and energy-efficient appliances.

The complex will also provide a library, coworking space, a technology lab and a community room for activities and catering. Archway expects construction to commence in the fall.

“We’re excited to get started on this,” said Dave Heaslip, development partner, in March. “All that we do at Archway Partners is affordable housing in the State of Florida.”

The firm will also receive $5.04 million in county funding for the Cypress Grove Apartments near downtown Largo. The $31.78 million project at 555 16^th Ave. SE will feature 84 affordable apartments.

Archway will dedicate 45 units to households earning up to 60% of the AMI and 39 for those earning less than 80%. Largo officials allocated $1.25 million to Cypress Grove.

City commissioners approved the funding in February. At the time, Vice Mayor Eric Gerard called the project “wonderful.”

“I really appreciate to see quality housing going up for folks in those income categories,” Gerard added. “It’s so needed.”

Archway is familiar with the area. The firm recently completed 96 new affordable apartments at Seminole Square, less than a mile from Cypress Grove’s site.

In addition, Archway broke ground on Clearwater Gardens in June. The project will provide 81 units for those earning between 30% and 80% of the AMI at a city-owned site that once housed two crime-ridden hotels.

The county’s support stems from the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact. The agreement, formally unveiled in May 2023, represents a unified and holistic approach to mitigating the affordable housing crisis.

The compact includes the county, Forward Pinellas and the Cities of Clearwater, Gulfport, Largo, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg and Treasure Island. Partners have cut ribbons for or broke ground on four new affordable developments this year.

The latest, Whispering Pines, opened Aug. 9 at 2655 54^th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. The Boley Centers built 20 apartments for people overcoming homelessness, and families with special needs who earn less than 60% of the AMI.

Pinellas County’s Housing Finance Authority secured the land for Whispering Pines to ensure it remains affordable for 99 years. The city contributed $900,000 for construction, and the St. Petersburg Housing Authority also supported the project.

“The Whispering Pines Apartments development is a great example of a public-private collaboration that is helping to create housing opportunities for all,” said Mayor Ken Welch in a prepared statement. “We commend Boley Center’s efforts to provide critical housing for the most vulnerable members of our community, and we look forward to partnering with more organizations who align with our focus on inclusive progress.”