Leaders from four counties in the Tampa Bay area are working to create more affordable and sustainable housing.

County commissioners and city council members from Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Pasco, as well as members of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the Florida Housing Coalition, and Forward Pinellas are all sharing strategies Friday. They're gathered for the REACH conference, which stands for Resilience and Energy Assessment of Communities and Housing.

Major cities are working towards more affordable housing with the St. Pete City Council approving a new 264-unit development near Gibbs High School, and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is pledging to create thousands more affordable units by 2027.

Despite the push for more housing in the near future, some residents can't wait that long.

Kay Nunez found herself in a woman's shelter in February alongside her 4-month-old daughter. She's secured a job as a teller, but even with the help of case workers, she can't find a safe and affordable place to live.

"I've been looking for apartments. I just started working so not a lot of people are willing to give me the opportunity," she said.

She says new affordable apartments are just one part of the solution. The current rent hikes and income requirements are keeping her from having a home.

"Without affordable rent I am in survival mode," she said.

The REACH conference runs until 5 p.m. Friday at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park.