News Summary
The St. Petersburg Housing Authority plans to transform the closed Edward White Hospital into a six-story affordable senior living community, featuring 71 dedicated units. Construction will begin in summer 2023, with projected completion in fall 2026. Alongside housing, the facility will include a community health clinic, dining areas, and various amenities aimed at promoting wellness and engagement for seniors.
St. Petersburg, Florida – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is poised to transform the former Edward White Hospital into a new affordable senior living community. Construction is expected to commence in summer 2023, with completion projected for fall 2026.
This redevelopment project will convert the hospital, which was built in 1974 and closed in 2014, into a six-story building located in the North Kenwood neighborhood. The new facility will feature 71 units specifically dedicated to affordable living for seniors.
In addition to housing, the ground floor will house a 2,000-square-foot community health clinic operated by Evara Health, based in Clearwater. This clinic will be open to the public and offer a variety of healthcare services, including preventative care, chronic disease management, same-day appointments, and specialized geriatric services.
Other facilities on the first floor will include a welcoming lobby, an open dining hall with a catering kitchen, a mail room, and bike storage. For the residents, amenities will also include a community room, computer lab, and fitness center, all designed to promote a healthy and engaging lifestyle.
The SPHA has collaborated with Wannemacher Jensen Architects for design and architecture, while Lema Construction will serve as the general contractor for this significant undertaking. The total estimated cost of the project is approximately $44 million. Financial backing includes $5.9 million from the St. Petersburg City Council, along with a prior investment of $3 million from the city.
As part of the redevelopment, the SPHA will relocate its administrative office from its current location on Gandy Boulevard to the new facility. The housing units will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, targeting seniors aged 62 and older who earn 80% or less of the area median income, roughly $63,000 for a two-person household.
Rent for the units will be set at 30% of the residents’ adjusted income, with special priority given to local residents, homeless individuals, and working families in need of affordable housing options.
Despite facing challenges such as hurricane-related flooding, the project is currently in the initial phase of demolition. The existing structure’s appearance will also be modernized with a new façade and murals to give the building a fresh and vibrant look.
The SPHA aims to address the significant housing shortage in the region, where around 8,000 families are on the Section 8 waiting list and another 1,500 are waiting for public housing. This redevelopment of the Edward White Hospital is seen as a vital step toward providing much-needed affordable housing solutions for seniors in the St. Petersburg community.
The St. Petersburg Housing Authority is committed to making significant contributions to the local housing landscape, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive accessible living arrangements where they can thrive in their golden years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Renovation of Edward White Hospital to Provide Affordable Senior Housing in St. Petersburg
Flats on 4th: New Affordable Housing for Seniors in St. Petersburg
Florida’s Rising Cost of Living Drives Families to Relocate Amid Affordable Housing Crisis
St. Petersburg Approves Major Redevelopment Projects
St. Petersburg Proposals for Affordable Housing Development
New Affordable Housing Development Opens Near Local School
Terry Marks Steps Down as CEO of St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
Your Neighborhood Produce Opens in St. Petersburg to Combat Food Insecurity
St. Petersburg to Launch New Affordable Housing for Seniors
St. Petersburg Residents Left in the Lurch as $45.66 Million Funding Falls Through
Additional Resources
- St. Peterising: Former Edward White Hospital Conversion
- Fox13 News: Former Hospital to Become Affordable Housing for Seniors
- St. Pete Catalyst: Multiple Affordable Senior Housing Projects Advance
- Business Observer: Low-Income Senior Community in St. Pete
- I Love The Burg: Bear Creek Senior Housing
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
- Google Search: St. Petersburg affordable senior housing
- Google Scholar: Affordable senior housing projects
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable Housing
- Google News: St. Petersburg senior housing
