Volunteers of America of Florida broke ground November 5 with a new affordable project on 5th Avenue South. The project will bring 50 new affordable mixed-use housing units to the market and is aimed at low-income earners.
“After the pandemic, affordable housing became even more complicated to build because of inflation and the cost, higher construction costs,” said Janet Stringfellow, president and CEO of Volunteers of America of Florida. “But we were able to master these challenges thanks to our community partners.” Stringfellow says there are currently 2,400 people in St. Petersburg who need an apartment without calling home. And the problem keeps getting worse. As the development of affordable housing projects is becoming more and more expensive, wages are stagnating and housing and rental prices rise by 20-30%, the demand is growing faster than affordable housing can become available.
To learn more: Groundbreaking on 50 Affordable Homes in St. Pete
source: SPID Nov/Dec Newsletter
Join us on our next tour of the Innovation District! Our tour will begin at the HUB, and we will board a trolley with other Innovation District partners. As we travel throughout the District, you will learn about the fascinating history and exciting future plans for the area. We will make several stops for a unique insider view of the research and collaborations underway. Participants are invited to enjoy a networking happy hour back at the HUB, where our tour will conclude.
A group of support organizations, led by the Innovation District and fueled by a grant from Duke Energy, developed our first Tampa Bay Innovation Ecosystem Map in 2023. We aim to continue guiding entrepreneurs to the best possible resources with an updated version.
Josh Rojas of Bay News 9 recently visited the Maritime and Defense Tech Hub, where he was welcomed by CEO Alison Barlow and COO Lauren Bell for a discussion about the building’s future expansion. The Hub is already home to a thriving community of companies and demand continues to grow. To accommodate this momentum, leaders are envisioning Hub 2.0, a second building proposed for the west parking lot.