Hillsborough County Commissioners today continued their commitment to providing affordable housing to those who need it most, approving $6 million in agreements that will help fund new housing in the University of South Florida area for older military veterans, and renovate another apartment complex in the Town ’N Country area for low-income and moderate-income residents.
Commissioners unanimously approved the public-private partnerships in two agenda items presented during their regular meeting by the County’s Affordable Housing Department.
In the first action, Commissioners awarded to NVC Haley Park Ltd. a total of $5.2 million toward construction of an 80-unit apartment complex for veterans who are seniors with low or moderate incomes. The award caps a three-year effort by the developer to assemble the required funding for the $11.5 million project. The County also supported the project by purchasing the property, located at 1500 and 1503 E. 130th Ave. in the USF area west of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, in 2012.
All of the 40 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom units at Haley Park will meet ADA requirements, with some of the units equipped for physically disabled residents. In addition, the apartments will be energy-efficient. The complex will include a community center, swimming pool and fitness center, and a variety of social, educational, health and recreational services will be offered at no charge to the residents.
The County grant includes $2.4 million from federal Home Investment Partnership funds, $1.7 million from the State Housing Initiative Program, and $1.1 million from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
In the second action, Commissioners awarded $975,000 in State Housing Initiative Program funds to Blue HC 54 LLC toward the $10.3 million renovation of a Town ’N Country apartment complex into housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Located at 3738 W. Idlewild Ave., Flamingo West will offer 72 energy-efficient apartments ranging in size from one bedroom to three bedrooms. Educational, job preparation and recreational programs will be made available to residents at no charge.
Construction work for both projects is scheduled to begin in December 2014.