Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s Infill Housing Program is off the starter blocks. Construction finished on the first house of the program’s Phase II. This program bolsters the affordable housing inventory in the city. So far, 11 developers have been awarded contracts through a digital lottery process. Castor’s goal is to create 10,000 affordable houses by 2027.
Many of the developers taking part in this program will select qualifying home buyers through the City of Tampa’s DARE to Own the Dream Homeownership Program. This program offers closing cost help and forgivable down payment loans. RL Builders, which constructed this first house, used this program.
The city will contribute $1.1 million of revolving loan funds at 0% interest toward development of the homes.
Unveiling of first affordable home from Infill Phase II
What is Tampa’s Infill Housing Program?
Tampa’s Infill Housing Program ensures houses are made with local developers and that the houses are sold to income-eligible homebuyers. The City’s Housing and Community Development division, just over a year ago, awarded 15 city-owned vacant lots–two large enough to be split–to local developers and non-profits.
The first completed house in Phase II is in Sulfur Springs. It is a 1,250 square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with several upgrades, including crown molding and quartz countertops. The Sulphur Springs home was purchased by a family involved in the DARE to Own the Dream program. To be considered for this program, interested home buyers must fall within the 80% Area Median Income (AMI) bracket. For example, for a family of four, the maximum household income would be $65,700.
Related: Housing Affordability Hits 15-Year Low
“A clear reflection of our commitment to fostering more public-private partnerships, our Infill Housing Program is bringing real results to address our affordable housing crisis,” Castor said. “We cannot wait to see deserving families, couples, or individuals move into these beautiful homes with all the amenities they deserve while remaining within their budget. I’m immensely proud of our Development & Growth Management team for seeing this vision through. Not only are we increasing our affordable housing inventory, we are also providing local developers, many of them minority, a unique business opportunity where they can help make a difference in our communities.”
Here are the developers who qualified for homebuilding through the digital lottery and the properties they are in charge of:
- 2022 E. Columbus Drive–JayWen Properties
- 3412 E. 32nd Avenue–AAA Restoration & Builders
- 3709 N. 31st Street–Promise Construction
- 3713 N. 31st Street–Habitat for Humanity Hillsborough
- 8018 N. Klondyke Street–Cornerstone Strategic Partners
- 2214 E. Emma Street–AAA Restoration & Builders
- 711 E. Lake Avenue–Cornerstone Strategic Partners
Building and remodeling and renting
“When she took office in May 2019, Mayor Jane Castor said affordable housing was one of her top priorities and over the past years her administration has made strides in this ongoing effort,” said Housing and Community Development Manager Kayon Henderson. “Achieving the ambitious goal of 10,000 units by 2027 requires a multi-faceted approach that includes, but is not limited to, fostering more public-private partnerships, maximizing the City’s housing programs and services, continued state and federal funding, and possible land and zoning changes. But keep in mind, the city is not focused solely on new construction.”
For example, Henderson said, the City’s Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program pays for critical life and safety repairs to homes to bring them into compliance with the city’s building code. “By paying for these costly repairs, the city is helping homeowners remain in their existing homes instead of being forced to move away.”
The City allocated $5 million from its general fund in March to create the Rental and Move-in Assistance Program. It helps qualified local renters with their monthly rent and security deposits. These efforts keep the program on track to achieve the goal of 10,000 affordable units by 2027.
The city uses the Federal HUD and State Income Limits when distributing funds and determining who is eligible for its federal and state-funded programs.
Henderson said the city is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to increase its affordable housing inventory. For example, she said, the Rome Yard project in West Tampa will transform an 18-acre vacant, city-owned lot into a socio-economic hub with green space, retail, dining, and residential options. The developer committed 70% of the residential units to be offered across a wide range of affordability, based on Area Median Income standards.
In East Tampa, the city recently released a request for proposals for a mixed-income community referred as 47th Street. “The Infill Housing Program is also making significant contributions,” Henderson said. “Through this program, the City has awarded dozens of residential lots to local developers under the condition they build an income-restricted home on the property.”