More affordable senior housing is coming to St. Petersburg. Construction has started on Bear Creek Commons, a major addition to St. Pete’s senior living landscape. The building will feature 85 rental units on 64th Street South and is schedule for completion in fall of 2024.
“With Housing Opportunities for All as one of the City’s Pillars for Progress, we are working every day to improve housing affordability to address the housing crisis that we’re seeing in St. Petersburg and nationwide,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “Bear Creek Commons is a prime example of an impactful public-private innovation and collaboration that’s creating a better future for some of our most vulnerable citizens in St. Petersburg. Our seniors and elderly residents-many of them on fixed incomes-are entitled to high-quality affordable housing and that’s what Bear Creek Commons will deliver. This is what Inclusive Progress looks like for housing affordability.”
Affordability for all
Affordable housing is a significant issue for seniors across the United States, and St. Petersburg is no exception. The aging population often faces housing insecurity due to limited, fixed incomes and increased medical expenses. It often takes a community to handle the challenge.
The City of St Petersburg’s total investment in the project is $6.6 million, which consists of $4.6 million from City funding sources for construction and $2.1 million from the City’s Penny Land Trust funds for acquisition and demolition of the former church on the property. Bear Creek Commons was one of the first properties to receive funding from the Penny for Pinellas Affordable Housing Program.
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The single-building, four-story, 85-unit property will serve seniors who meet specific Area Median Income (AMI) requirements, including 5 units for those with 22% AMI, 13 units for those with 30% AMI, 48 units for those with 60% AMI, and 19 units for those with 80% of the AMI.
Amenities at Bear Creek Commons
The building will offer a variety of amenities for its future senior residents, including:
- Fitness room
- Game room
- Gazebo
- Large back porch
- Outdoor recreation space
Carteret, the management company that oversee the building will also provide seniors with
- 24-hour support to assist residents in handling urgent issues
- A resident assurance check-in program
- Adult literacy programs
- Assistance with light housekeeping, shopping and laundry
