100-unit affordable housing community opens in Tampa

After 18 months of construction, Casa Bel Mar (4003 S. Manhattan Ave) has officially opened in Tampa, providing 100 one- and two-bedroom affordable housing units for hundreds of residents in need. The development aims to “provide high-quality, affordable housing to low-income families and individuals,” according to a release from the City of Tampa.

The project was a joint effort between the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, the Tampa Housing Authority, and private developers. Ten of the 100 units are set aside for individuals transitioning from temporary housing, such as the Tampa Hope cottages. Half of these units are reserved for direct referrals from the city’s outreach team.

An initiative to ensure safe, affordable housing for everyone in Tampa

Mayor Jane Castor expressed her commitment to protecting Tampa’s working-class residents from being priced out of the city. “Our greatest fear is for the backbone of our city, our workforce, our Tampa natives who have built this city over generations, to be priced out,” Castor said. “We cannot and will not let that happen. This partnership represents an opportunity for an affordable housing initiative to help ensure safe housing remains attainable for people of all incomes.”

Casa Bel Mar is designed to serve residents earning 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less. Households earning up to about $53,500 a year are eligible for the apartments in Hillsborough County. Rent at the complex ranges from $895 to $1,400 per month, with tenants paying no more than 30% of their income on housing costs.

Tampa contributed $2 million in Federal HOME Funds

“Since pre-COVID, housing prices have soared by 60 percent,” said Jeff McKittrick, the city’s Housing and Community Development Director. “In 2019, the median price of a home was $263,000. Today, it’s $425,000. Casa Bel Mar is just one more example of how our city tackles the affordable housing crisis head-on.”

The City of Tampa has also contributed $2 million in Federal HOME Funds to support the development, ensuring the units remain affordable for at least 30 years.

With the rising cost of housing in Tampa, Casa Bel Mar represents a significant step forward in providing much-needed relief to local residents. As more affordable housing projects like this one open across the city, Tampa continues to take action to address its housing shortage and make the city a place where people from all walks of life can thrive.

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