TAMPA, Fla. – Just 18 months after breaking ground, Casa Bel Mar, a new affordable housing development, is set to open its doors this week, offering high-quality housing to hundreds of Tampa’s low-income residents. The 100-unit complex, featuring one and two-bedroom apartments, is the result of a collaborative partnership between the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Tampa Housing Authority, and private developers.
Ten of the 100 units will be specifically reserved for individuals transitioning out of temporary housing for the homeless, such as the Tampa Hope cottages. Five of these ten units will be available through direct referral from the city’s outreach team, providing a crucial stepping stone towards stable housing.
READ: Florida’s Nature Preserves: A Vital Sanctuary For Wildlife And Recreation
“Our greatest fear is for the backbone of our city, our workforce, our Tampa natives who have built this city over generations, to be priced out,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “We cannot and will not let that happen. This partnership represented an opportunity for an affordable housing initiative that will help ensure safe housing remains attainable for people of all incomes.”
Casa Bel Mar is designed to serve individuals earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In Hillsborough County, 80% of the AMI is approximately $53,500. Rents at Casa Bel Mar will range from $895 to $1400 per month, with tenants paying no more than 30% of their income towards rent, ensuring housing costs remain manageable.
“The housing price statistics are unsettling,” said Housing and Community Development Director Jeff McKittrick. “Since pre-COVID, housing prices have soared by 60 percent. The median price of a home in 2019 was $263,000. Today, it’s $425,000. Casa Bel Mar is just one more example of how our City is tackling the affordable housing crisis head on.”
The City of Tampa committed $2 million of Federal HOME Funds to the project, guaranteeing that units within the complex will remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.