TAMPA, Fla. — A big step has been made in the fight to address a shortage of affordable housing in the Tampa Bay region.
The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners approved, at a meeting Thursday, the use of $24 million in federally-distributed COVID relief money to address a shortage in affordable places to live.
The board voted unanimously to utilize the funding, which came from the American Rescue Plan Act, to purchase and renovate one or more properties in the county, with the idea of making those properties affordable housing units.
The use of ARPA funds for affordable housing projects was approved by the board in September of last year.
Thursday’s approval is just the first step in the process. Prior to purchasing properties, the board will have to seek additional information, form construction plans, and then make sure everything falls under federal guidelines. Those plans have to come before the board before any agreement is made.
