East Tampa Breaks Ground on 174 Affordable Units

Tampa city leaders, alongside Related Urban Group and the Tampa Housing Authority, marked a milestone Wednesday with a groundbreaking for Residences at East End in East Tampa. The development will deliver 174 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units affordable to households earning between 22% and 80% of the area median income — roughly $32,000 to $83,000 annually for a family of four. This initiative stems from the Castor Administration's push to combat rising rental rates, per the city's official announcement on tampa.gov. Funding includes a $9 million contribution from Florida's State Apartment Incentive Loan program, matched by $75,000 from the city. Additionally, 43 units will utilize Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers from the Tampa Housing Authority, with the remaining 131 units priced according to income levels. The project comprises five residential buildings equipped with amenities like a dog park, picnic areas, fitness center and pocket park, enhancing quality of life for residents near key East Tampa landmarks. This effort aligns with broader East Tampa revitalization. Nearby, the Community Redevelopment Agency approved a $9.7 million grant in July 2025 for Ashley East Tampa, a 118-unit workforce housing project at 3105 E. Columbus Drive adjacent to the 65,000-square-foot East Tampa Innovation Center. Developed by Integral Development on city-owned land, it targets incomes up to 80% AMI and awaits final rezoning, with construction eyed for May 2026, according to Tampa CRA records and project updates. Other CRA initiatives include property acquisitions at East Osborne Avenue and North 19th Street for future attainable housing, and a $525,000 investment for demolition at 1102 E. Curtis Street — formerly Destination Church — pending City Council funding approval in FY25. These projects, detailed on the East Tampa CRA programs page, aim to foster economic growth in neighborhoods like College Hill, Jackson Heights, Highland Pines and Grant Park through housing and job training.