News Summary
St. Petersburg’s Housing Authority has received the FAHRO 2025 Best Website-Large Agency Award while celebrating the opening of Founders Point, a new affordable housing complex. Located near the Skyway Marina District, this 15-unit complex aims to assist low-income residents, particularly those with special needs. With significant funding from local organizations, Founders Point is a crucial step towards addressing the growing affordable housing crisis in St. Petersburg, where many face long wait times for assistance.
St. Petersburg has gained recognition for its efforts to improve housing accessibility. The St. Petersburg Housing Authority has won the FAHRO 2025 Best Website-Large Agency Award, acknowledging the visual appeal, engaging content, and user-friendly design of its website, which was created by Brooks Jeffrey Marketing Inc. This accolade comes as the city celebrates the opening of Founders Point, a new 15-unit affordable housing complex aimed at low-income residents.
Founders Point is strategically located at 2901 31st Street South, near the Skyway Marina District, and was developed by Pinellas Affordable Living Inc. (PAL), a Community Housing Development Organization formed by the Boley Centers. The complex’s primary goal is to provide safe and affordable housing for individuals with special needs. With the growing challenges of housing affordability in the area, Founders Point is a vital addition to the available resources.
The complex consists entirely of one-bedroom apartments, all of which are reserved for residents with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In support of the project, supportive services for the residents are funded by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The total development cost for Founders Point is nearly $6 million, with funding coming from various organizations, including the Florida Housing Finance Authority, Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg, and the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, as well as the Boley Angels.
The City of St. Petersburg committed $320,817 toward the project, while Pinellas County provided a forgivable loan of $665,816. Additionally, during earlier funding phases, both the City and County contributed an extra $75,000 each for development costs. According to the terms of these funding agreements, the apartments must remain affordable for a minimum of 15 years to ensure continued access for low-income residents.
Named in honor of Bessie Boley, Mary Koenig, and Ruth Mosher, who founded Boley Manor in the late 1960s, Founders Point is a significant step in addressing housing needs in the community. The Boley Centers, which spearheaded this initiative, continue to be involved in various housing projects, including Whispering Pines Apartments and a planned redevelopment of the Wood Acres mobile home park, furthering their commitment to affordable housing solutions.
In addition to celebrating the new housing complex, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority is actively addressing the underlying issue of housing shortages in the area. Recently, the authority hosted a landlord summit to discuss the growing affordable housing crisis in Downtown St. Petersburg. As the downtown area continues to grow, the availability of affordable housing is decreasing, raising concerns for the community.
Currently, there are approximately 950 landlords participating in the Section 8 program in St. Petersburg, but this number is insufficient to fully address the existing housing shortages. The waiting list for affordable housing assistance in St. Petersburg has reached approximately 9,000 individuals, with many applicants facing wait times of 4 to 5 years before housing placement.
The St. Petersburg Housing Authority emphasizes the advantages for landlords who choose to participate in the Section 8 program, including guaranteed rent payments, which can provide financial security even if tenants experience job loss. This model aims to attract more landlords to support the growing demand for affordable housing and facilitate a more stable living environment for residents in need.
For those interested in Founders Point or seeking more information about available housing assistance, residents can contact Boley Cares at 855-552-6539 or email them at [email protected].
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Additional Resources
- St. Petersburg Housing Authority Wins Florida Website Award
- Google Search: St Petersburg Housing Authority Florida Website Award
- St. Pete Opens Apartments for Special Needs Residents
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable Housing
- St. Petersburg Housing Authority Hosts Summit for Landlords
- Google News: St Petersburg Housing Authority Landlord Summit
- New Affordable Apartment Community Opens in South St. Pete
- Former Hospital to Become Affordable Housing for Seniors
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
