In a significant move to address the growing need for affordable housing, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved more than $10 million in funding on January 14, 2025, to support the development of 223 new affordable and workforce apartments in two major residential projects in south Pinellas. These new developments, Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments in St. Petersburg, are part of the county's ongoing efforts to increase affordable housing options for local residents.
A Step Forward for Affordable Housing
The BCC’s approval will directly contribute to the creation of affordably-priced apartments, which will make up 30 percent of the homes planned for the first phases of each project. These new homes are crucial as they will help meet the needs of individuals and families earning near or below the Area’s Median Income (AMI), a population increasingly struggling with the rising cost of housing in the region.
The funding will support the first phases of Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments, which together aim to build more than 3,000 units in future phases, with 30 percent of the units designated for affordable and workforce housing.
Azalea Gateway and Sky Town Apartments: Key Developments
Azalea Gateway, located at 1501 72nd St. N. in St. Petersburg, is planned to unfold in three phases, with a total of 1,000 apartments. The first phase, which received approval, will include 340 apartments. Of these, 51 units will be set aside for residents earning 80 percent or less of AMI, and another 51 units for those earning up to 120 percent of AMI. The remaining 238 apartments will be rented at market rates. The total cost of phase one is $109.8 million, with $5.25 million in support from Pinellas County’s Penny for Pinellas program. This funding is contingent on the City of St. Petersburg approving an additional $6 million.
Sky Town Apartments, located at 3201 34th St. S. in St. Petersburg, is also being developed in multiple phases, with the first phase comprising 401 apartments. Out of these, 60 units will be reserved for those earning 80 percent or less of AMI, and 61 units will be available for individuals earning up to 120 percent of AMI. The remaining 280 units will be rented at market rates. The total cost for phase one is $120.38 million, with Pinellas County providing $5.5 million in funding. This is contingent upon the City of St. Petersburg approving $4.5 million in support for the project.
Expanding Affordable Housing Countywide
These projects are part of a broader initiative by Pinellas County and its cities to fill the growing affordability gap. Over the past year, Pinellas has supported the creation of more than 400 affordable or workforce homes, with new developments in Largo, Seminole, Ridgecrest, and other areas. The county and the City of St. Petersburg have also worked together on other projects, such as the Arya apartment complex, which includes 125 affordable homes out of 415 units under construction.
Additionally, the Bayou Court Apartments project shifted focus to offer all 60 units as affordable housing for local teachers and public servants, showing the effectiveness of the Housing Compact partnership in creating targeted affordable housing solutions.
The Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact
The projects are part of the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, a collaborative effort between Pinellas County, Forward Pinellas, and the cities of Clearwater, Gulfport, Largo, Oldsmar, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, and Treasure Island. This agreement reflects the local governments' commitment to a unified approach in tackling the housing crisis and supporting affordable rental development through a mix of local, state, and federal funds.
The newly approved funding is just one step in a larger strategy. The Housing Compact will continue to work toward meeting the region’s housing needs with the help of private industry and nonprofit partners, ensuring that affordable homes are connected to jobs, transportation, and essential services.
A Vision for the Future
If fully completed, these projects will become some of the largest mixed-income developments in Pinellas County, helping to meet the demand for affordable housing and providing much-needed relief to workers and families facing financial challenges. Pinellas County’s ongoing efforts, along with the Housing Compact’s collaborative approach, are key to addressing the region's affordable housing crisis in a sustainable way.
With more projects in the pipeline and continued support for affordable housing initiatives, Pinellas County is making strides toward creating a more inclusive and accessible housing market for all.
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