Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, that the city has surpassed its goal of 10,000 affordable housing units. According to the mayor’s office, the number of units that are planned, under construction or completed now stands at 10,770.
The announcement was made at a press conference in front of a home purchased through the city’s assistance program for homebuyers. Castor noted, however, that the figure does not refer to 10,000 finished units that residents have already moved into. The total includes homes that have been built and renovated, as well as projects that are still in the planning stage.
According to the city, fewer than half of the 10,770 units are under construction or already completed. Abbye Feeley, the city administrator for development and economic opportunity, said that more than 4,700 units are finished or under construction. Another 5,000-plus are in preparation.
Castor said the next mayor will be able to take credit for completing the projects that are now in progress. Her second term ends next year. She has been announcing the goal of 10,000 units by 2027 since the start of her first term.
The city says it has invested more than $100 million in housing programs since 2019. The strategy includes new housing developments, investment in existing homes, assistance for first-time homebuyers and cooperation with private developers.
As recently as May, Castor said the city would probably not reach the goal by the end of her term. At that time, she cited about 8,300 units. In 2023, the Tampa Bay Times reported that the mayor had been imprecise in the past when reporting progress. Castor responded at the time that the newspaper was “splitting hairs.”
Source: Tampa Bay Times
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Source: Słoneczne Radio
