Affordable Housing

Zion Village, a 75-unit affordable housing complex for low-income seniors, sits on two acres of land next to the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.

So what goes on during the workday of a university president during his second week on campus? Moez Limayem is here to talk about the challenges ahead.

Bay Area Legal Services developed the first of its kind in Florida. Chatbot Bailey B. is designed to help users draft basic legal documents and navigate landlord-tenant issues, like evictions.

The findings were revealed during a luncheon at the University of South Florida on Feb. 17 with more than 250 business, nonprofit and government leaders.

“This one is shovel-ready, and we don’t have a way of doing it,” said Councilmember Copley Gerdes. “I don’t understand why we’re not sprinting to get this done.”

Sarasota’s effort to directly develop affordable housing downtown — an unprecedented, city-led plan championed by former City Manager Marlon Brown — faltered after the city spent more than $7 million on land without a finalized construction budget or financing strategy and as anticipated state and philanthropic funding did not come through.

On "The Florida Roundup," FSU urban policy expert Sam Staley said the state's housing market has become "increasingly unaffordable," citing supply as the issue.

The city expects to purchase 14 high-risk residential or commercial properties, help create 582 affordable multifamily housing units and provide 70 low-income households with up to $80,000 in down payment assistance.

The bill, SB48, is similar to one that nearly passed last year. It proposes legalizing "granny flats," also known as accessory dwelling units, wherever single-family homes are allowed in the state.

Facing a Republican supermajority, Democrats are pushing bills on property insurance and housing costs, and calling for interstate insurance pooling, stricter oversight of government waste and targeted tax relief.

“St. Petersburg is once again leading the way with thoughtful, community-focused solutions to our housing challenges,” said Sen. Darryl Rouson.

City council members approved Sugar Hill Group’s second request for an extension in a 6-2 vote Thursday after nearly two hours of ardent debate.