TAMPA, Fla. — The East Tampa Business and Civic Association is celebrating its new affordable housing townhome complex in Tampa, Park Sands Townhomes, on East 113th Avenue.

All 28 units are already rented out.


What You Need To Know

  • New affordable housing townhome complex in Tampa

  • Park Sands Townhomes on East 113th Avenue; all 28 units rented

  • Hillsborough County purchased the townhome complex in 2020 using grants

  • East Tampa Business and Civic Association

"We did not change the price points on the units, because we realize that so many people don't have any place to go," said East Tampa Business and Civic Association CEO Dianne Hart. "If we were to change our price point and go to market, we'd be pricing people right out of an affordable housing unit."

Hillsborough County purchased the townhome complex in 2020 using grants, coronavirus relief funds and state housing initiatives for $3.6 million.

Since then, major rehab work was done including new roofs, interiors, a parking lot and built-in Wi-Fi in all the units.

Although this ribbon cutting marks more affordable housing in Tampa, it will do little for the vast majority of people quickly being priced out of the market.

That's why the East Tampa Business and Civic Association says more units like Park Sands Townhomes are needed, and fast.

"Many of our apartment complexes throughout the city, with the raising cost of rents, it's pricing people out," said Hart. "So hundreds of these types of units are definitely needed throughout Hillsborough County."