SULPHUR SPRINGS, Fla. — Carolyn Riggins, a pastor, has been residing in Sulphur Springs for 22 years, and during that time, she has been advocating for more action to improve her community.

According to her, the community has been suffering from urban decay for years. She says issues such as absentee landlords, homelessness and violence are key factors preventing the community from achieving its full potential.

“I’ve seen it change 100% from a place of people owning their own homes and being happy about being in this neighborhood to people who don't want to," she said. "They don't want to turn into their own driveways.”

Riggins said the proposed solutions to the problem only scratch the surface.

“You can't tell me better than I can see for myself,” she said. “We don't need any more flowers to beautify the atmosphere. We don't need any more stop signs. We need some housing for people, for these people who are homeless. We need more jobs. It’s just doesn't look like a place that we want to call home. It doesn’t feel good anymore.”

Riggins says many of her neighbors feel the same way. Although some have moved on, she chose to stay despite her own children encouraging her to leave. She believes she has a greater purpose, which is to see this community come back to what it once was.

“No person will get it done alone,” she said.

She aims to set an example, speak up about issues, and empower her community to do the same.

“When I walk outside my home, I’m either going to be picking up beer bottles, or paper,” she said. “I pay taxes, and this is not what I want to see every time I want to come home.”

She believes that absentee landlords contribute to the problem.

“If the tenants don't care if it's your property, you should care,” she said. “There's a lot going on, and I feel like nobody is really paying attention. I feel like it's, 'Oh that's just Sulphur Springs. Oh, they live like that. Oh, that's the way it is.' We don't want to live like this. We don't want this to be our community."

Riggins said that the city of Tampa has reached out to her to address her concerns. A community meeting with the Sulphur Springs Action League has been scheduled for Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

Additionally, another meeting hosted by the city of Tampa is planned for Feb. 22 at Spring Hill at 6:30 p.m. to review the Sulphur Springs master plan.

The city of Tampa shared the following statement with Spectrum News:

"Our Planning Department is starting to work with Sulphur Springs residents on an ambitious neighborhood action plan to develop a community-driven long-term vision and plan to accomplish neighborhood priorities. The effort is just starting but will include lots of community engagement and outreach with residents, businesses, neighborhood leaders, community groups and more. they'll be looking at potential public investments, funding strategies, urban design, housing, transportation, and much more."