For six years, HOPE, the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality has worked to find a solution to the growing problem of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing for the working poor.
Advocates were overjoyed over the opening of the SabalPlace apartment complex, a four-story affordable housing community in Seffner. Part of the units will be used to transition the homeless into housing and the rest will go to struggling families, many of whom pay more than half their income for housing.
Hillsborough County’s HOPE Trust Fund, a $10 million biannual fund set up at the urging of HOPE, contributed $1 million to the $25 million project.
“We are so excited,” said Sheila Simmons Tribble, Ph.D., who serves as chair of HOPE’s Monitoring Committee. “We knew of 75,000 very low-income families spending half their income on housing. These are people we call the essential workers, like nurse’s aides, teachers’ aides and clerks. It is very exciting to see this actually happening. There is already a waiting list, which really speaks to the need.”
Housing complexes like this provide stability and self-sufficiency, she said. “It is really addressing a major need for all of us. Health problems are manifested when there is no stability, kids do better in school when there is stability and parents feel more self-sufficient.”
Blue Sky Communities, Metropolitan Ministries, their financial partners and community leaders gathered for the grand opening of SabalPlace on Friday. Blue Sky Communities has partnered with Metropolitan Ministries to provide on-site comprehensive services to tenants looking for support.
“SabalPlace represents the coming together of so many great organizations such as Metropolitan Ministries, Blue Sky Communities, and Hillsborough County,” said Shawn Wilson, CEO of Blue Sky Communities. “We are proud to open the second phase of this property and bring additional affordable housing to the people of Hillsborough County.”
A panel of local leaders spoke at the grand opening, including Hillsborough County Commissioners, Gwen Myers and Kimberly Overman; Hillsborough County Administrator, Bonnie Wise; CEO/President of Metropolitan Ministries, Tim Marks; and Blue Sky Communities President and CEO, Shawn Wilson.
“This is an opportunity that has inspired hope and opportunity. An opportunity for so many people looking for housing that they can afford,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers. “Thank you to developers for all that you do to create affordable housing here in Hillsborough County.”
