Anti-human trafficking group names vice president
The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking, a national faith-based nonprofit organization, has selected Stephanie Costolo, as its vice president.
In addition to her work at the institute, which has a location in Tampa, Costolo serves as the vice chair of the Pasco County Florida Commission on Human Trafficking. She also is an advisory board member for the Post 911 Veterans Nonprofit Community Organization.
New Aldi opens
A new Aldi grocery store has opened at 2215 Sun Vista Drive in Lutz. The store, near where State Road 54 and State Road 56 come together, is on the south side of the road. It is accessed off a road that leads into Tampa Premium Outlets and is in an area that boasts a wide array of restaurants, shops and other businesses. Aldi’s store hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pandemic affects housing payments
A recent survey by Apartment List shows that 32% of those responding failed to make their full housing payment on time, according to an Apartment List news release. This is the highest percentage since Apartment List began running the survey in April. The survey also shows that fears around evictions and foreclosures have worsened, and more Americans today are considering a move as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key findings from the report:
- 19% of respondents have not yet made a housing payment for July; 13% more have made only a partial payment. Missed payments remain common for renters and homeowners alike.
- 21% of renters say they are “very” or “extremely” concerned about facing eviction in the next six months, up from 18% in June. Meanwhile, 17% of homeowners expressed serious concern about foreclosure, up from 14% last month.
- More than half of respondents have had their moving plans impacted by the pandemic. Thirty-three percent say that they are now less likely to move during the remainder of 2020, driven primarily by health concerns, while 21% say that they are now more likely to move, driven primarily by the need to find more affordable housing.
Region receives CARES Act grant
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council in Pinellas Park has received a $400,000 CARES Act funding grant to boost economic development programs aimed at helping a six-county region respond to COVID-19, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The regional planning council was invited to apply for additional funding, and the funding is intended to allow the planning council to expand technical and planning assistance to Tampa Bay area communities, the release from the Commerce’s department’s Economic Development Administration says.
