Pasco County is jumping into the affordable housing market in an initiative aimed at helping its homeless population.
Pasco County commissioners authorized a program that will rehabilitate foreclosed houses or, in some cases, build new houses.
Under the program, area nonprofits would become partners to manage the county’s efforts to provide houses for homeless individuals and families with “extremely low income.”
(Courtesy of Pasco County)
“This is really new. This is not being done anywhere else,” said George Romagnoli, the county’s community development director.
Proposals will be sought from nonprofits interested in participating.
Pasco County commissioners then would select several agencies to work with the program.
Currently, about $500,000 is available from the State Housing Initiative Partnership, or SHIP program.
In coming years, county officials anticipate up to $2 million could be allocated to the program from federal grants.
The goal is to complete about 20 houses a year that can help homeless individuals and families get back on their feet. Most of the houses would be rehabbed for less than $20,000.
Also, small houses — of about 600 square feet to 800 square feet — could be built, or mobile homes could be placed on vacant lots for about $40,000 each.
“We’re very confident we can do this,” Romagnoli said.
People with low incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable rents, he said. For instance, a single mother with children who loses her job and is evicted has a hard time finding a place to live.
“There are no longer cheap rents in Pasco. And, what can be found is not safe, or cheap,” Romagnoli said.
Properties would be acquired through foreclosures, tax deed sales or other ways.
Currently, such properties can end up with the Pasco Opportunity Program, or POP, for rehabilitation and resale to homeowners. With the adoption of the new housing program, properties will be evaluated before being assigned either to POP or to the homeless initiative.
It is estimated that Pasco has about 900 chronically homeless people who live on the streets or in the woods.
In a separate initiative, the county is partnering with Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg Inc., on a pilot program for chronically homeless individuals.
Romagnoli said there could be some overlap in the two programs, with homeless individuals relocated to newly acquired housing.
“Any time we can use transitional housing, instead of shelters, is beneficial,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.
Published March 16, 2016
