Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Blue Ridge Point in Time Report shows slight decrease in people experiencing homelessness
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – It's a problem most cities deal with: homelessness. The Roanoke Valley is no exception. To put the problem into perspective, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires regional groups, like the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care to perform a Point in Time count twice a year. According to the Point in Time count, for the first time since 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Roanoke Valley is decreasing. The count shows the number of people experiencing homelessness during January 2025 was 389. That's down from the Winter 2024 count, which was 409. 'The overall decrease was about 3% or 3.2% over 2024, over our winter count last year. A modest decrease and I think maybe a stabilization post-pandemic. 24 and 23 we really saw significant spikes with eviction protections expiring after the pandemic ended,' said Roanoke Human Services Administrator, Matt Crookshank. Crookshank is the Human Services Administrator for the City of Roanoke and works with the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care. New report shows homelessness in Roanoke Valley is up 20% from 2023 The Point in Time count also looks at trends among people experiencing homelessness, like the number of people considered unsheltered, or sleeping outside. 'Unsheltered numbers went down a little bit, about 8%. But we did have a cold weather shelter at a church in the southeast that stood up this year. So if we included those people, who are typically outside, we would have seen an increase in those unsheltered numbers,' said Crookshank. Belmont Presbyterian opened their doors this Winter at first as a warming shelter during the day, but quickly saw the need to stay open overnight. 'Well, we really started it up as a day thing,' said Pastor Todd Atkins. 'Then, I got a call from the hospital, Roanoke Memorial. They said, 'We've got a guy here, he doesn't have anywhere to go, and we heard y'all are a warming center,' said Atkins. 'I thought, 'Oh my gosh', maybe this is what we are supposed to do. So we did it. The one guy came. It was for one guy from the hospital. And then I got in my truck and drove around to see if there was anyone else on the streets. This is when it was like 20 degrees out. I found like four or five people. Then we opened it [the warming shelter] up and next thing we knew we had 50 to 60 people in here,' said Atkins. With the cold weather shelter at Belmont Presbyterian only being temporary, the 31 people who were spending the night there the night of the Point in Time count, are most likely back out on the street. '[We are] still seeing lots of folks outside, lots of chronically homeless folks with really severe underlying issues,' said Crookshank. 'Seems to be a greater count of people who are not only struggling with some of the things we always think about, like affordable housing, income, mental illness and addiction,' said Rescue Mission CEO, Lee Clark. 'But more people who are elderly experiencing being homeless for the first time that have those mobility challenges, physical health challenges, mental health challenges that come with us as we age.' Roanoke leaders weigh in on possible Supreme Court case impacts on homeless community The combination of these challenges led the Rescue Mission to create their Fralin Free Clinic Medical Street Outreach program. They've also partnered with RAM House to offer transportation to and from the two shelters. These changes are addressing immediate needs for the homeless population. The Rescue Mission is also working towards long-term solutions by building affordable housing units. The latest numbers show Roanoke is experiencing an over 3,000 unit deficit. 'We had land that was vacant, about four acres that sits right off of Elm Avenue, that sits adjacent here to the Rescue Mission. We thought, what will be good that is going to be positive for Southeast, good for the neighborhood, good for the people we serve,' said Clark. 'We partnered with a group for Homes for America. They have more than 30 years experience providing affordable housing. We are applying for low income housing tax credits. We are hopeful the application will get approved this month and we will get to start with the first building in 2026. All together there will be three buildings on the site, about 150 affordable housing units,' said Clark. Slowly, but surely, officials believe progress continues with the help of countless groups, like The Rescue Mission, RAM House, The Least of These Ministries and the recently approved Mayor's Hope and Home Task Force all working towards the same goal. 'It's encouraging but we know we still have lots of work to do,' said Crookshank. This year's second Point in Time count is scheduled to take place in July. Find the complete Winter 2025 report, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JHA hosts block party; ideas sought from residents to make neighborhood improvements
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Coopersdale Homes residents came together Wednesday to share some camaraderie during the West End Block Party and to also learn more about the community's ongoing Choice Neighborhoods planning grant program. The Johnstown Housing Authority received $500,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding last September to develop a plan for stabilizing and revitalizing the public housing complex and surrounding area. JHA has 30 months from the time of receiving the award to complete the plan. It is currently soliciting input from residents, city officials, nonprofits and businesses regarding what improvements could be made. 'It's important to hear from the people what they need in their units, in their neighborhood because you can't, as an outsider, tell someone else what they need, so it's just best to gather input from people,' Jaden Bennett, manager for JHA's Choice Neighborhoods project, said. Bennett has noticed some common concerns among residents. 'One thing that really stood out to us was there was mention that there isn't enough lighting for individuals that are walking to (local supermarkets) Giant Eagle or Save A Lot from Coopersdale,' Bennett said. 'There was a big emphasis on getting better lighting so that in the nighttime it's easier to see people, pedestrians that are walking to those places to get essentials. Also, transportation is a big barrier for a lot of individuals.' Shaqueena Murphy, a project ambassador and Coopersdale Homes resident, also mentioned the transportation barrier. 'We don't have any stores to go to around here,' Murphy said. 'You have to go all the way to Richland. Everybody don't have cars to travel, to get around, so it's like kind of hard to like get around to do anything.' After the authority's plan is developed, it will attempt to acquire federal money for implementation of its ideas. But even if that economic support does not materialize, JHA and the city will have an outline to use when possibly pursuing funding from other sources. 'To have that in place means really everything because now we'll know what people want and what people need,' Bennett said. 'No matter what the outcome is, we're able to better understand where some of the struggles are as a community, as a whole and really come together to create ' Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could a new tax incentive get the Village at Harbor Hill across the finish line?
Could an affordable housing initiative help get the Village at Harbor Hill across the finish line? The city of Gig Harbor is considering a potential tax exemption program aimed at encouraging rent-restricted housing. The Village at Harbor Hill, a proposed retail site in the Gig Harbor North area that has been stalled for years, could be its first test case. Talks to develop the 18.5-acre property go back at least a decade, according to The News Tribune's reporting. Last year, the property owner began considering adding multifamily housing to make the development more feasible financially. The development has struggled to land a grocer to anchor the project. A multifamily property tax exemption program, or MFTE, could make developing those housing units — and the project as a whole —more attractive, though representatives for the city and the property owner haven't shared any concrete timelines for moving forward. MFTE programs have been popular among developers in other area cities and are a tool for cities and counties to encourage housing development, including more affordable units. Tacoma, for example, offers three options. Those include an 8-year all-market rate version and 12- and 20-year versions, which require a percentage of units to be rent-restricted, or what the programs call 'affordable.' As defined by the state and as part of its Growth Management Act (GMA), the MFTE program offers a property tax exemption in exchange for the development of market-rate multifamily units or multifamily affordable housing of at least four units in designated 'residential targeted areas,' via the 8, 12- and 20-year versions. The property owner does not pay property taxes on the residential improvements for the designated number of years, but still pays tax on the land and any nonresidential improvements, such as a commercial portion of a mixed-use building. Cities and counties can tailor programs to meet policies, such as what percentage of area median income the 'affordable' units are based on, generally tied to figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). All cities, many towns, and Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties are eligible to offer an MFTE program, according to the state Department of Commerce. The city of Gig Harbor hasn't been shy about mentioning the potential benefits of an MFTE program for the long-anticipated retail site. At one time, Village at Harbor Hill was planned as a business park at Borgen Boulevard and Harbor Hill Drive, anchored by a Town & Country Market grocery store and surrounded by banking, restaurants, shops and medical services. Plans for the site stalled as a legal battle over transportation impact fees and eventual settlement between the developer and the city took time to reach. Town & Country was out of the project by the summer of 2020 and two years later also abandoned plans to set up shop at the Peninsula Shopping Center on Judson Street. After a community meeting about the project last summer, property owner representative Jon Rose confirmed to The News Tribune in December that residential was now in the mix, along with the audience's receptivity to a discount grocer. Rose is vice president of real estate with Florida-based Raydient/Rayonier, which owns the Village at Harbor Hill property. In a city newsletter March 19, the city announced that 'Discussion of (an MFTE) mechanism, beginning with the Village at Harbor Hill, will focus on the opportunity to promote multi-family workforce/affordable housing in the community near transit and other key services.' The city council heard an overview of the program at its study session on March 13 and a formal proposal introducing a 12-year MFTE version with at least 20 percent of units designated as rent-restricted housing for low- and moderate-income households at the council meeting on April 28. Households are considered low-income if they earn 80% or less of the area median income, and moderate-income if they earn between 80 to 100%, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, per the city's draft ordinance presented April 28. As of April 1, the median family income in Pierce County is $120,800. A household of five is considered low-income if they make $104,400 or less in a year, according to the Tacoma Housing Authority. A one-person household qualifies as low income if they make $67,700 or less. The Gig Harbor City Council heard a first reading on April 28 but did not vote on an ordinance that would establish an MFTE program in the city. A second reading of the ordinance, scheduled for May, was removed from the agenda. Instead, city staff are planning a town hall to discuss the program with the community, according to City Clerk Josh Stecker. The council may consider the program again afterward under a new ordinance, he wrote in an email. That town hall is still being scheduled, but city staff are looking at the first three weeks of July, City Administrator Katrina Knutson said. Attendees will be able to learn more about a potential MFTE program as well as the spate of state housing bills passed in recent years that affect the city. Speaking about the Village at Harbor Hill project, Jon Rose, the property owner representative, told the city council at the April 28 meeting that 'multifamily developers that we have talked to are supportive of this version of the MFTE.' Gig Harbor Community Development Director Eric Baker explained to The News Tribune that an MFTE program could make a mixed-use project with housing more feasible because it could help the developer save on the housing portion. The property tax exemption wouldn't apply to the land and any commercial components of the project. He added that he doesn't have insight into the Village at Harbor Hill project specifically but understands how multi-use projects tend to proceed. Baker also explained that the tax exemption would result in a 'tax shift' onto the rest of the city's property owners. To make up for the lost revenue, residents and businesses would be subject to a slight levy rate increase, which he said city staff expects to be 'a relatively small number' but haven't quantified yet. City Administrator Knutson said that she has directed city staff to do a full comprehensive look at the proposed MFTE program and 'what the property tax offset would be' if used at the Village at Harbor Hill site, so that they can present that to the public and the city council for informational purposes. Knutson said Wednesday that the city is aware of at least two grocers 'in regular contact' with the Village at Harbor Hill property owner. She declined to comment on whether a budget grocer like Winco or a Trader Joe's is still a possibility for the site, but said 'that's a great question.' Since the Village at Harbor Hill is a private development project, the city's role is primarily regulatory, Knutson said. But the city is also aware that the project is of strong interest to many residents in the Gig Harbor North area, and has been in 'proactive and regular communication with the property owner and their agents in order to be responsive to what they may need to accomplish the project,' she said. In an interview on May 29, Rose noted that without a residential component or viable grocer as a possibility, the Village at Harbor Hill site likely would go back on the market. Since the community meeting with Gig Harbor residents in 2024, he said, 'probably six or seven grocers have brought their boats into the dock for a look, and most of them have taken a look and moved on.' As Rose explained, 'It's one thing to take over a space, like if the QFC emptied, you're buying a used space where it was built with dollars and expenses that were from 30 years ago. It's like buying a used car, you don't pay the same as new for a used car.' 'And some of the grocers, some of them that are particularly well liked and desired, have never done a ground-up retail,' he added. 'They don't have to. There's some in particular that just go to 15,000-square-foot spaces that are already there.' But he also noted there is some good news about the site, with several grocery entities that 'have stuck around.' 'And with the apartment idea, we have checked it with other apartment developers, just to make sure we're not chasing a dream. And there's interest from both sides.' While Baker, the Gig Harbor community development director, said the site has been rezoned to allow for multifamily development, Rose remained neutral on any MFTE benefits to the project. 'We'd love if our project was helpful, but the city needs to meet certain growth targets ... mandated by the GMA, and the affordable housing is also mandated,' he said. 'So it's up to the city. If it's offered as a program, people who develop multifamily and our project will consider using it.' 'If they don't offer it, there will still be apartments, and they just won't meet any affordable housing criteria,' he added. 'So we're not going to weigh in and start lobbying people. This is an internal issue for the city more than it's an issue for us.' 'But I can tell you, there's legitimate and strong interest from grocers — more than one. And same with the multifamily.' Previous reporting from The News Tribune contributed to this report.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hillsborough County seeking input on spending $709M in hurricane recovery funds
The Brief Hillsborough County has drafted a plan to spend $709 million in Community Development Block Grant funding. It comes after recent hurricanes caused significant damage countywide. A 30-day public comment period is underway, with meetings scheduled and an online survey available. TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County officials are asking for input from residents on how more than $700 million in federal aid should be spent after a string of recent hurricanes. By the numbers The county says it expects to receive $709,324,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That money will be used for recovery and mitigation efforts following Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene and Milton, all of which impacted the area within the past two years. The county's draft plan shows that at least 70% of the funds will be designated for low-to-moderate income households. More than half the total funding is earmarked for housing programs, including: Home repair and replacement New construction Infrastructure upgrades (i.e., stormwater system and drainage improvement) READ: Tampa prepares for the 2025 hurricane season using lessons from last year's back-to-back storms What you can do The county is hosting a series of public comment hearings and education meetings this month to gather input, all of which are scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Public comment hearings: June 10: Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa June 12: Maureen Gauzza Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa June 13: Lennard High School, 2342 E. Shell Point Rd., Ruskin June 18: Sayde Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 S. Maryland Ave., Plant City Education meetings: June 9: Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa June 17: Roy Haynes Park Recreation Center, 1902 S. Village Ave., Tampa June 23: Victor Crist Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa Hillsborough County has also launched an online survey, which will remain up through July 7. You can take the survey by clicking here. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from Hillsborough County Government. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Axios
09-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Why developers have stopped building apartments
The economics of building apartments in the Twin Cities doesn't work, and it could be a long time before it does. Why it matters: The metro area is already undersupplied on housing. A staggering decline in multifamily building could drive up prices in the years to come. By the numbers: After peaking at 15,500 in 2022, permits issued to begin apartment construction in the metro fell to 5,000 last year and are on an even slower pace this year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Zoom in: Sherman Associates has been one of the most prolific local developers in recent years, building hundreds of units in Minneapolis and beyond. The company doesn't have a single project under construction right now, and as CEO Chris Sherman told Axios, his Minneapolis firm can't make it work without public subsidies. State of play: While there can be some outliers, the typical cost to build a midrise apartment building (think four to five stories) has reached $320,000-$340,000 a unit, Sherman said. Meanwhile, the average price paid for Class A apartment buildings was $223,400 per unit last quarter, said Heidi Addo, a broker who sells multifamily communities for Michel Commercial Real Estate. This massive gap is a nonstarter for most developers, especially merchant builders, who develop apartment communities, fill them up with renters and then sell. The big picture: The three main reasons for the slowdown: Construction costs have risen nearly 40% since 2020, according to general contractor Mortenson's Construction Cost Index for Minneapolis. Interest rates have risen dramatically since 2022, and there's a correlation between them and what price sellers can get for apartments. When interest rates were historically low in 2022, the average sale price of apartments peaked at $285,000 per unit, according to a Michel Commercial Real Estate report. Rents have not kept up with rising costs. Asking rents in the metro increased only 1.4% year over year in March, to an average of $1,543 per unit, according to the report. Friction point: Sherman said apartment sales prices will have to eclipse $400,000 per unit before his firm begins building again, with the exception being projects that receive public subsidies, like the one they're working on in St. Louis Park. "The numbers are just upside down — and not by a little, but a lot," Sherman said. What we're watching: Both Addo and Sherman believe rent increases are coming. Addo is already tracking major hikes in areas of the metro where few units have been delivered in recent years, particularly the northern suburbs. Sherman said the sweet deals renters have been getting — like free months of rent for new leases — will be drying up soon.
