Press Release: SPHA and Blue Sky Communities Collaborate on New Affordable Housing Development
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (MARCH 4, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is excited to announce it is collaborating with Tampa Bay Area-based affordable housing developer Blue Sky Communities on a new affordable housing residential community. Situated at Hartford Street North and 32nd Avenue North, near the 34th Street corridor, the new project signifies a significant step forward in meeting the growing demand for affordable housing in St. Petersburg.
The Hartford site is 1.35-acre in size. On February 15th, the St. Petersburg City Council approved rezoning for the parcel which will allow higher-density housing to be built. Around 95 new units are expected to be built. The new development is poised to feature a combination of family and senior apartments, complemented by an outdoor recreational space for activities like pickleball and shuffleboard. The new buildings will be constructed on land already owned by SPHA.
The project will also encompass renovating the existing SPHA property Saratoga Apartments, which is located nearby on 3475 32nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg. Saratoga Apartments is an affordable family development, consisting of 34 one and two-bedroom units in two two-story residential apartment buildings.
This new development is part of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority's ongoing effort to increase the number of affordable housing units in the city.
"We are very excited to reach this milestone and begin working with the St. Petersburg Housing Authority," said Blue Sky Communities Partner Scott Macdonald. "The need for this housing in St. Petersburg is enormous."
"The St. Petersburg Housing Authority is delighted and energized to embark on this development with Blue Sky Communities," said SPHA President/CEO Michael Lundy. "This project aligns seamlessly with our commitment to addressing the pressing need for housing in St. Petersburg."
"We could not be more thrilled to pursue this development opportunity as the latest step in fulfilling our mission to provide safe, affordable housing to the residents of St. Petersburg, especially in a time of such great need," said SPHA Board Chairman James Dates. "Our board will always lend our support in this critical effort."
SPHA serves more than 4,000 low-income households in St. Petersburg and part of their mission is to enhance and promote resident self-sufficiency. They do this through a variety of social services programs with SPHA's team offering one-on-one support, tools and resources.
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About The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.
About Blue Sky Communities:
Established in 2012, Blue Sky is dedicated to fostering positive transformations within Florida communities through the development of high-quality affordable housing. As a developer utilizing the Federal Housing Credits, Blue Sky plays a pivotal role in advancing the affordable housing objectives of nonprofit organizations and local governments. By creating state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly affordable housing units, Blue Sky serves as a leading advocate in this field. Through collaborative partnerships, Blue Sky assists these organizations in developing community assets that instill a sense of pride among stakeholders for many years to come. Our properties encompass a wide range of communities, catering to families, elderly individuals, veterans, and those with special needs. For more information, visit www.blueskycommunities.com.