Pinellas County Approves $10M for 223 Affordable Homes in Two Major Housing Developments
Luis Bedoya
Last update: 2025-02-08
Luis Bedoya
Last update: 2025-02-08
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners took a significant step on January 14, 2025, approving over $10 million in funding for 223 affordable and workforce apartments as part of two large-scale housing projects in South Pinellas County. The developments—Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments—are set to provide much-needed affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income families in the St. Petersburg area.
This approval represents a key milestone in the county's ongoing efforts to combat the housing affordability crisis. Affordable housing, as defined by the county, includes homes priced at 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI)—up to $76,400 annually for a family of four, or $53,500 for a single person. Workforce housing, on the other hand, is priced at up to 120 percent of AMI.
Both of these housing projects will directly address the needs of families struggling with rising housing costs in Pinellas County, particularly in St. Petersburg, a city known for its rapidly increasing housing prices.
Azalea Gateway
The Azalea Gateway project is planned in three phases, with a total of 1,000 apartments. The first phase, which received approval on January 14, will include 340 apartments, of which 30 percent will be affordable and workforce housing. Specifically, 51 apartments will be set aside for households earning 80 percent or less of AMI, and 51 will be reserved for those earning up to 120 percent of AMI. The rest of the units (238) will be available at market rates.
Sky Town Apartments
The Sky Town Apartments development will eventually span multiple phases, totaling 2,084 apartments. The first phase, approved alongside Azalea Gateway, will include 401 units, with 60 set aside for those earning 80 percent or less of AMI, and 61 for those earning up to 120 percent of AMI. The remaining units (280) will be rented at market rates.
These developments are part of the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, a partnership between Pinellas County, Forward Pinellas, and several local cities, including St. Petersburg. This agreement encourages traditional developers to include affordable and workforce housing in their projects, addressing the growing need for lower-cost homes in high-demand areas.
In recent years, Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg have worked to integrate affordable housing into both upscale and traditional residential developments, with notable examples including Arya Apartments, which features 125 affordable homes among its 415-unit complex. Other recent developments include the Bayou Court Apartments, which have been fully dedicated to affordable housing for local teachers and public servants.
With housing prices continuing to climb across St. Petersburg and beyond, the county's efforts are more crucial than ever. The Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact has already helped open or begin construction on more than 400 affordable and workforce homes across Pinellas County over the past year alone. As of now, both Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments represent some of the largest mixed-income developments in the region, contributing significantly to the area’s affordable housing stock.
Looking ahead, both the county and its partner cities have plans to continue their focus on affordable housing through the Housing Action Plan. This plan seeks to bring together private developers, nonprofits, and local governments to further expand housing availability.
The goal is not only to build more homes but to integrate these developments with access to jobs, transportation, and community services, ensuring that residents can thrive in their new homes.
With ongoing support from Pinellas County and its partners, the Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments projects mark a hopeful future for affordable housing in St. Petersburg and the surrounding areas. These projects bring a much-needed balance to the region’s housing landscape and serve as a model for future development aimed at addressing both the economic and social needs of local residents.
Stay tuned for more updates on these projects as they progress and bring new opportunities to the community!
Meet Luis Bedoya: one of the top agents at his brokerage and a name synonymous with unwavering honesty and dedication in the real estate sector. With a steadfast commitment, Luis's primary goal is to provide the best and most transparent service to his clients, ensuring their interests are always at the forefront.
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