St. Petersburg, Florida as seen from the St. Pete Pier by Sean Pavone via iStock for WMNF News.
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A new report shows St. Petersburg is seeing a record increase in housing stock.
But the same analysis shows a jump in homes owned by companies.
According to a city report, St. Pete produced 2,000 units in 2025 and increased its local housing units production by 40% over the previous year.
The Housing Opportunities for All report was presented during the city’s Housing, Land Use and Transportation committee meeting earlier this month.
But the data also revealed a stark reality: companies are buying up homes after devastating hurricanes.
Amy Foster is the city’s housing and neighborhood services administrator.
“Prior to the storms in 2024 in single-family zoned neighborhoods across the city, there were 423 properties purchased that year by LLCs. And in 2025, there were 664.” Foster said during the meeting.
Councilmember Brandi Gabbard also expressed concern about who was being displaced during the storm.
“What I now know, 20 months later, is when you go back into those neighborhoods, it is the seniors who have had to leave. They were unable – either they weren’t insured because their home was paid off, they didn’t have the resources or the physical ability to actually rebuild themselves, and they have had to leave. And they were in these homes for 30, 40 years.” Gabbard said.
A 2024 analysis from the Tampa Bay Times showed that corporate investors own over 117 thousand single-family homes across Florida.
The Housing Opportunities for All reports showed the strongest growth was in multi-family units of five or more, but single-family homes are also being built.
The report also highlighted the city’s various housing assistance program, which provides funding to residents needing repairs to their homes for code compliance, health issues, safety, and/or accessibility.
“These aren’t just numbers, this is almost thirty thousand residents touched by these programs – 27,806 to be exact. And I know that they would say these investments are life-changing.” Foster said.