\u201cThe property was one of the first Pinellas County Housing Authority public housing complexes. It had 200 units and helped thousands of families by providing them a place to safely raise their kids,\u201d the organization\u2019s executive director Neil Brickfield explained to the Catalyst. \u201cThe apartments were just tired and it was time for something new.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rainbow Village was originally built in the 1960s. The Pinellas County Housing Authority began to work on the redevelopment project in 2007.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cost to maintain Rainbow Village was not worth it,\u201d added Newstar Development vice president of development Justin Corder. \u201cThe Pinellas County Housing Authority was putting good money toward a project that eventually needed to be torn down.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Heritage Oaks, which replaces 48 units, is the first of four phases. Once all are complete, there will be approximately 400 units for individuals and families. The project is part of the\u00a0Greater Ridgecrest Master Plan, a long-term partnership between residents and the Pinellas County government focused on revitalizing the unincorporated Largo community.<\/p>\n
Additionally, it is a component of the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, a partnership between Pinellas County and its municipalities to help individuals find affordable homes.<\/p>\n
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Heritage Oaks offers 80 units for seniors who earn 60% or less of the Area Median Income.<\/p>\n
\u201cPinellas County has a tremendous need for affordable senior housing,\u201d Brickfield said. \u201cWe wanted to make sure the biggest need was addressed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some former residents have been able to move back to the property.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The complex officially received a certificate of occupancy in November. Residents then began to start moving in. By the end of December, all of the units were leased, Corder explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Pinellas County Housing Authority and Newstar Development have collaborated with partners such as Meals on Wheels to improve the overall living experience for residents, he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy journey here started about 18 months ago when I could no longer afford to live in my apartment because of my fixed income,\u201d said resident Yvette Feazell at the Thursday event, \u201cand there weren\u2019t many options for seniors so I have to go live with my daughter, her husband and her four children.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
This led Feazell to explore new communities. After doing research, she realized that the Pinellas County Housing Authority was accepting applications for Heritage Oaks. Once Feazell filled out an application, she was approved and even got to select her own unit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners chair Dave Eggers was among the elected officials who also attended the ceremony.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look at the task at hand, it\u2019s overwhelming,\u201d he said. \u201cBut, each development makes a huge difference to individuals and families.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n