Affordable Housing

Half of the former Marriott hotel rooms are available to rent as studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Another 88 units are expected to become available by the end of the year.

Kathleen Passidomo and Paul Renner made their comments as the Republican Party of Florida opened its Sunshine Summit.

Dawning Family Services is receiving more calls from homeless families in Tampa. In March, Chemetria Munn was among them.

The Tampa Bay Community Action Committee plans to present a budget ordinance to the city council that would reallocate monies from the general fund and American Rescue Plan dollars toward affordable housing assistance.

To qualify, city employees must be hired on a full-time basis, hold a position with a residency requirement and earn no more than $48,000 a year.

For eligible homebuyers, the Hometown Heroes program can offer up to $25,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance.

Almost half of all callers, or 370 people, were seeking rental assistance. Another quarter of callers, or 214 people, called for help finding an affordable rental unit or home to purchase.

The city-funded program would connect renters with local agencies that can offer legal help, housing services and rental assistance amid the ongoing affordable housing crisis.

The number of seniors who have experienced homelessness jumped nearly 40 percent since 2018 and the number of families facing homelessness increased by 21 percent since 2020, the survey found.

The economy and high prices are likely to be the top issues as voters go to the polls this summer and fall.

Community leaders at a forum in Tampa this week said the affordable housing crisis is making it harder for them to help people experiencing homelessness. And they expect the number of people in need to grow.

Eligible workers include law enforcement officers, firefighters, 911 operators, teachers, daycare workers and all manner of healthcare workers.