Actions Taken

In July 2022, the City expanded ADU allowance, also known as “mother-in-law suites” or “garage apartments,” to over 70% of all single-family properties. This will allow owners throughout the City to convert or build one rental unit on their property. This followed a September 2019 Council approval to exempt ADUs from density calculation, eliminate minimum unit size and reduce the minimum required lot size for the construction of ADUs.

Originally established as a long-standing advisory group to the City but officially established in 2020 as a city committee. This is an 8-11 member group of private citizens tasked with reviewing possible new incentive strategies and evaluating the implementation of previously adopted incentive strategies to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of property to appreciate in value. At a minimum, the AHAC must submit a report regarding these incentives every year. It must hold one public hearing to review the Committee’s report. The report must then be submitted to City Council and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for approval. The report must be submitted to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation by December 31.

Created an Affordable Housing Site Plan Review process to implement HB1339, allowing affordable housing projects on land zoned for Industrial or Residential through a streamlined approval process with one public hearing in October 2021, and further refined to allow mixed income projects after passing of SB962 in September 2022.

The City pursues acquisition of vacant properties through foreclosure for the construction of affordable single-family residences. The website shows a list of lands available that are suitable for development of affordable housing.

Provides an annual incentive for up to 15 years to promote the development of affordable housing in the South St. Petersburg CRA. The incentive must first be approved by City Council before undertaking construction.

Helping residents with exterior and interior improvements on affordable housing in the South St. Petersburg (CRA).

The City of St. Petersburg offers financial assistance to homebuyers at or below 80% AMI purchasing a new or existing single-family residential housing unit, condominium, townhome, or cooperative apartment located within the City’s municipal boundaries. Funding for households with income between 81% and 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI) may be limited.

The City issued a Request for Proposals for multi-family developments that would qualify for ARPA funding. Seven developers submitted proposals, reflecting 483 units for 80% AMI and below.

Eliminated review fees in 2019, and reduced fees for homes under 1,400 sq ft and for workforce housing bonus applications. Two-year temporary 25% reduction of all plan review, permitting and inspection fees approved on 05/22.

Improved and expanded South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area housing programs to include housing rehabilitation for low- and moderate-income homeowners, down payment assistance for first time homebuyers and developer incentives for affordable single-family and multi-family construction. Currently, $1.2 million in applications are being processed or have been completed.

Established to review and discuss affordable housing initiatives.

Reduced design requirements in the Land Development Regulations for construction of affordable single-family residences in the Neighborhood Traditional zoning districts to reduce the cost of development and incentivize the construction of additional units (September 2019).

In 2022, the City increased down payment assistance limits for this long-standing program from $25,000 to $60,000, in response to rising home costs.

Homeowners can apply for funding to make specific building improvements to their residential properties, including structural repairs; replacing the roof, windows/doors, HVAC; upgrades to insulation, kitchen/bath, electric/plumbing; and constructing an ADU. This program, which has been successful in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) for several years, is to be available citywide.

In August 2022, the City Council resolved to expedite affordable housing development timelines, removing burdensome and time-intensive requirements of developers for public notice and public hearings and capped the maximum income of renters in these units at 120% of the Area Median Income.

Instituted an expedited permit review policy for affordable housing developments which provides for a 10-day initial permit review process.

In 2022 the City raised the cap from $45,000 to $60,000. Home repair loans provide the homeowner with the funds to remove health and safety risks from the home and to correct code violations on an owner-occupied residence. Examples include leaking roofs, electrical hazards, plumbing, sanitary sewer issues, and other threatening perils that are an immediate detriment to household occupants. Assistance is also available to identify and mitigate lead-based paint hazards.

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In June 2022, city officials moved forward with an initiative intended to keep employees from being housing burdened. These employees receive a monthly stipend up to $500 through their paychecks. To qualify, the city employee must make under $48K, live in city limits and have a household income under 120% AMI.

Increased Workforce Housing Density Bonuses from 6 units per acre to 8 in select zoning districts, 6 to 10 and 10 to 15 in other districts (December 2019).

With the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee's collaboration and recommendation, Pinellas County adopted Ordinance No. 19-15 to reduce multimodal fees for smaller residential units and low income units; part of an affordable housing development incentive program.

Constructed homes are priced below market value and in some cases may be purchased for as little as two percent down. They also have desirable features for the homebuyer like energy-efficient construction, Energy Star new appliances, security systems, Florida-friendly landscaping and hurricane-resistant features.

Established in 1994, the team performs free, basic home repairs and painting for low- and moderate-income homeowners. Four additional positions were added in 2022 to assist homeowners in the CRA.

Parking can cost $24,000+ per space and removing that associated cost enables developers to pass along savings. Code amendments in September 2019 provided reductions for multi-family developments 750 sq ft and larger (require a minimum of one parking space per unit). Housing projects, where at least 50% of the units are designated “affordable,” reduce their parking requirement by 10%. Affordable senior housing projects can reduce the parking requirement by an additional 5%. Multi-family developments located within 1/8 of a mile from high-frequency transit routes are eligible for a 10% reduction.

The City established guidelines for the use of $15M in Penny funds for affordable housing between 2020 and 2030.

The City has an interactive map tool prospective renters can use to view rental properties in St. Petersburg that have had recent interior property maintenance or Tenant Bill of Rights violations. It also has an online Codes Compliance database and contact phone number where prospective tenants can research code violation history.

As a result of HB 1417 going into effect and overriding the Tenant Bill of Rights previously adopted by the St. Petersburg City Council, the City remains committed to providing renters with resources on the state’s Landlord-Tenant laws, tips for tenants when signing lease agreements in collaboration with Gulfcoast Legal Services, minimum property maintenance standards, and best practices for collecting paperwork, walkthroughs upon move-out, and giving notice. The City is reviewing additional options to protect tenants from discrimination.

The City website currently has a page dedicated to resources for developers, inclusive of details for all current incentives offered towards affordable housing new constructions and renovations. https://www.stpete.org/residents/housing/developers/index.php

Established a new zoning category (NTM) to allow a variety of housing types with up to four units on a standard lot along the City’s major corridors, with future rezoning of select corridors of almost 3,000 properties scheduled for adoption in March 2023.

Beginning in 2023, the City will be assisting senior citizens that have lived in their homes for a long period of time but don’t have the income to make necessary repairs through this program.

Instituted a process to reimburse developers of affordable single-family housing for the cost of constructing new sidewalks up to $4,000 per development.

Beginning in 2023, the City will be assisting heirs with navigating the complex and costly probate process to help them qualify for assistance programs and create generational wealth.

In 2022, the City began waiving sewer connection fees for affordable housing developments.

On November 15, 2018, streamlined the Workforce Housing Bonus procedures by replacing public hearings with an administrative review and approval process. This allows staff to sign off on applications for state-funded affordable housing projects without excessive delays.

Amended the Downtown Zoning District bonus structure to prioritize the Workforce Housing bonus, to either provide on-site units or a payment in lieu (12/2019) and in December 2021, the in-lieu fee was doubled. Modified bonuses and exemptions as well to exempt Workforce Housing FAR.