Housing News

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Welcome to the HCD News Corner. We’re thrilled to see you here!

Get to know us each quarter as we provide updates of new and existing programs, success stories from community members, and staff highlights to name a few of our hot topics. Periodically we’ll include how to videos and guides to help navigate the application process of our programs and provide FAQ sheets. Take time and get caught up on current news within the division by clicking the link below and accessing our most recent newsletter. 

City of Tampa Awards a $580k+ Grant to Sunrise Children's Services to Build an Inclusive Playground and Support Children of Diverse Abilities 

Tampa, Florida (August 26, 2020)--Through the Community Development Block Grant program, the City of Tampa was proud to award Sunrise Children’s Services (formerly known as United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay, Inc.) a grant of $585,687 to support their mission of providing children of diverse abilities a safe and inclusive environment to learn and play.  

This grant helped fund the development of covered walkways throughout the exterior of the 3,600 square foot center, interior renovations to accommodate children with and without developmental delays, and the installation of an accessible playground. 

“Sunrise Children’s Services does inspiring work to support children of all abilities in our community, and we are proud to help amplify their efforts to continue making life-changing impacts for so many kids,” says Mayor Jane Castor. “These upgrades will support children’s growth and learning during some of the most critical stages of their development, and the new inclusive playground will offer a fun and safe place where kids of all abilities can just be kids.” 

The Community Development Block Grant Program provides funding to support public service activities offered by outside organizations. Other organizations that have received CDBG funding from the City of Tampa include Metropolitan Ministries, the Housing and Education Alliance, AIDS Service Association of Pinellas DBA EPIC, Solita’s House, CDC of Tampa, Abe Brown Ministries, and more.  

Learn more about the Community Development Block Grant Awarded to Sunrise Children’s Services at sunrisegroup.org/playtime-is-saved/


HCD Videos

38th Annual Planning & Design Awards

Tampa, FL - The Planning Commission is proud to announce the winners of our 38th Annual Planning & Design Awards, presented by TECO, with marketing partner, the Tampa Bay Times. This celebration of excellence in planning and design in Hillsborough County was held virtually on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. Our annual awards program aligns with the many national festivities held during the American Planning Association's National Community Planning Month. Established in 2006, #PlanningMonth highlights the role of planners and the importance of good planning in our communities. This year, our awards program was held virtually due to the Coronavirus health pandemic and to ensure we could all stay safe while we honor our winners.


Building Tampa's Equitable Tomorrow

Mayor Castor and the City of Tampa have made the development of Workforce and Affordable Housing a strategic priority of the Mayor’s ‘Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow’ vision. The details of that strategy can be found here:  https://www.tampagov.net/t3/housing-affordability

There are many continuing and new opportunities to invest in our community’s future and to be part of Tampa’s tomorrow. We want to ensure that all partners and stakeholders can align their efforts with the City’s Housing Affordability strategy.
 
Watch Now to learn more about:

  • The City’s Housing Affordability Strategy and Recommendations 
  • The City’s Community Land Trust (CLT) – coming soon!
  • Workforce and Affordable Housing projects on the horizon
  • New policies and partnership opportunities
  • Longer-term strategies, including use of Opportunity Zones 

Housing and Community Development Quarterly Newsletters

MARCH 2021

NOVEMBER 2020

JULY 2020 

APRIL 2020

JANUARY 2020