Pinellas County is changing fast. For some, change means new energy and economic prosperity. For others, it feels like their hometown is becoming a place they can’t afford anymore.
The average Tampa Bay household uses about 42.6% of their budget to pay for housing – that’s about 12.6% higher than the “affordability” rule that housing should be no more than 30% of your budget.
When we support Local Homes for Local People, that means protecting our neighbors and our local economy. Local governments across Pinellas are working alongside neighbors to make sure everyone has a place they can afford to call home.
Ways to help…
✔ Think creatively about our neighborhoods and who lives here: teachers, first responders, nurses, mechanics, our children and our aging parents – individuals and families are going into debt, living in motels, or couch surfing just to remain near their job.
✔ Make space for our neighbors by accepting new things: maybe it’s a low-profile apartment in your neighborhood, garage apartments, or an enclave of tiny homes. We live in the most densely-developed county in Florida, so we’re going to have to get creative about where new homes go and how they’re built.
✔ Become a Housing Champion: Get the facts, tell your neighbors and help change the story about the future of your neighborhood.
