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Motivated renters
By JACKIE RIPLEY, Times Staff Writer CARROLLWOOD -- Before the ribbon was even cut, 122 families were calling the Villas at New Port Landing home. In fact, by early this year, the complex on Henderson Road was already full. "They were advertised for rent and it was first come, first served," said Don Shea, director of the Hillsborough County Community Improvement Department. The 26-acre complex just south of Gunn Highway is a joint venture between the Boston-based Gatehouse Group and the Alliance for Affordable Housing, a state initiative that provides low-cost housing for lower-income families. "It's been a fabulous success," said David Canepari, president of Gatehouse Management Inc., which, among other things, is counseling renters about how to purchase homes. "It really empowers working people to strive for home ownership." Gatehouse has six other affordable apartment communities in the county for working families or seniors. But "this is our first attempt to put single family environment" in an apartment complex, Canepari said. The county provided a $1.5-million low-interest loan and the state contributed about $1.5-million to lower the developer's costs enough to keep rents affordable while still allowing for a profit. In return, Gatehouse will keep the rents lower than the going rate for the life of the 30-year loan. The units are rented to individuals or families whose yearly incomes are no higher than 60 percent of the median for the Tampa Bay area. They cost up to $605 for two bedrooms, $699 for three bedrooms and $783 for four bedrooms. That means someone whose income is, say, $18,000 a year can rent a two-bedroom unit and use the clubhouse, fitness center and swimming pool. The community also has a children's playground and a multipurpose recreation court as well as resident programs to meet the health, education and social needs of residents. "There's nothing like this in Tampa, nothing like this around," Shea said. The complex includes 122 villas, 106 townhomes and 16 four-bedroom single-family homes. It was conceived with the idea of providing purchase options to some of the renters. But when financing for that type of project became too difficult, the developer decided to provide home ownership counseling instead. The company will "provide home ownership training and down payment assistance at the time of the lease," Shea said. "The ability to transition into home ownership is the goal." Canepari also had to sell the concept to surrounding homeowners, whose preconception of affordable rental housing consisted of "three stories and tons and tons of children." "We clearly had some neighborhood meetings," Canepari said. "There was no resistance because we were willing to make a high quality community with gates, walls and a high-level interior and exterior." Amenities include two full bathrooms, wood cabinets, designer kitchens, washer-dryers, miniblinds and ceiling fans, and high efficiency heating and air conditioning, including double paned windows to minimize utility bills. Residents can stay as long as they wish. But "they do have to maintain income eligibility, which is constantly monitored on an annual basis," Shea said. - Jackie Ripley can be reached at (813) 269-5308 or ripley@sptimes.com.
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From the Times |
