ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Local leaders celebrated a new affordable housing apartment development called The Shores, which offers 50 units for people struggling with the high cost of housing.

What You Need To Know

  • The Shores is located at 2605 31st St. S. in St. Petersburg

  • In order to qualify, an individual must earn no more than $34,500 per year

  • Pinellas County contributed $750,000 and St. Petersburg contributed $567,000

  • Six projects with 970 units are currently approved or under construction in Pinellas County

“In Pinellas County right now, one in three families are struggling to pay their rent,” said Janet Long, Pinellas Commission Chair. “Spending more than a third of their income on housing costs.” 

In order to qualify for a unit at The Shores, which is located at 2605 31st St. S., an individual must earn no more than $34,500 per year, which is 60% or less of the area’s median income. 

Jasmean Smith, 29, a single mother of three, qualified because she’s a VPK teacher. 

“When I came here, it was just like, wow, I really upgraded. This is amazing,” she said. “It just feels great to just be somewhere new and peaceful.” 

Smith said for the two years prior she lived at an old complex that charged $1,500 for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. She said one bathroom never worked, and she didn’t have a washer or dryer.

At The Shores, Smith said she’s in a new three-bedroom apartment that comes with all the amenities and her kids are much happier.

“I don’t have to go to the laundromat to wash clothes. I can actually stay in the house and wash clothes on a Sunday while I’m cooking dinner,” she said. “Just having the microwave above the stove it’s awesome.”

Securing more affordable housing has been a major issue for St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, who said he lives across the street from The Shores.

“It’s in my backyard and I’m excited to have The Shores as a neighbor.” He said. “The Shores represent what affordable housing really looks like in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County. It’s a safe, secure place. It’s thoroughly modern.” 

The Shores is a result of a public-private partnership supported by the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact that cost $12.6 million. Pinellas County contributed $750,000 in Penny for Pinellas housing funds and the City of St. Petersburg contributed $567,000.

Smith said she’s saving $300 a month in rent living at The Shores, which means she no longer has to struggle to make ends meet.

“I know that I’ll be able to pay my rent and just come home and be comfortable,” she said. “Not have to worry about, ‘Oh, I’ve got to pay rent or my bills are due and I’m not going to be able to afford this, I can’t afford that.’ I literally love it here.”

Tenants began moving in to The Shores last September and are currently fully leased.

According to Pinellas County, over the past year, six affordable developments opened, providing 227 new homes to local residents, with another six projects with 970 units currently approved or under construction at affordable workforce and market rates.