Uptown Sky Affordable Housing Under Construction

TAMPA, FL — Affordable housing in the Uptown/University Area is on the way to becoming reality in 2022 in the form of Uptown Sky, a 61-unit multifamily apartment home development to be built by Blue Sky Communities in partnership with the nonprofit University Area Community Development Corporation.

The development is currently under construction at 13603 N. 12th St. and Fletcher Ave. after a September groundbreaking.

“Quality attainable housing is a major problem in our community, and a substantial number of our residents are cost burdened in their current housing situation. This will empower residents to live, work and thrive in the area they call home,” said Sarah Combs, University Area CDC CEO and executive director.

These affordable apartment homes will benefit low- and moderate-income families by improving the quality of their homes, eliminating the cost burden, increasing access to transit and increasing access to services.

Households that can benefit from living here will fall into three income categories: 18 units at 50 percent average median income; 30 units at 60 percent AMI and 13 units at 70 percent AMI. The affordability period is 30 years.

“For four years, Blue Sky has been working to find a way to build more housing in this area. Together with University Area CDC and other community leaders, we finally made it happen," said Shawn Wilson, president and CEO of Blue Sky Communities. "It should be the first of many."

Uptown Sky is partially funded with $9.25 million of multifamily mortgage revenue bonds issued by the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County as well as a $5.82 million low-interest loan from Hillsborough County through its HOPE (Homeownership and Opportunity for Everyone) and SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program) Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

“This project brings us one step closer to filling the gap we have in meeting the needs of those who have limited income, but should not have limited opportunities to provide a safe, clean and stable home for themselves and their families," said Hillsborough County Commission chairwoman Kimberly Overman, who worked as chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board to provide resources to expand affordable housing units in the county.

The Uptown/University Area community is an 864-acre underserved residential/commercial neighborhood located on the northern edge of unincorporated Hillsborough County. The neighborhood is blighted by vacant and abandoned lots. Approximately 75 percent of the 10,500 residents represent minority groups, primarily Hispanic (39 percent) and African-American (33 percent). In addition, more than 19 percent of the residents are veterans.

The per capita income in this area is far below the county average, and nearly 60 percent of the residents live below the poverty level. Unemployment is approximately twice that of the county. Many residents struggle with language barriers, and 32 percent have no high school degree.

“We know that housing insecurity can have a major impact on a person’s health and well-being. As part of our continued commitment to address social determinants of health, we are investing in underserved communities throughout Florida to ensure that individuals and families have access to quality, affordable housing,” said Richard Weiss, president of the Florida Market for Aetna, a CVS Health company, which is providing $7.3 million in funding for the project. “We are proud to work with Blue Sky, University Area CDC and Hillsborough County leaders to bring affordable apartment homes to the Uptown/University Area and help make a meaningful impact in the lives of this community’s residents.”

The Uptown/University Area, one of the densest communities in Hillsborough County, has been deemed a targeted redevelopment area by the county with five census tracts operating in opportunity zones, which provide tax incentives for new development. In addition, this area is part of the Tampa Innovation Partnership, a 19-square-mile area that is undergoing redevelopment to become a medical and technology hub.

Serving the community for more than 23 years, University Area CDC is a public/private partnership focused on adult education, resource assistance and combatting crime in the at-risk areas around the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida.

Blue Sky Communities is based in Tampa, but provides affordable housing to working-class families, seniors and disabled veterans throughout the state. Founded in 2012, Blue Sky has grown to become number 30 on Affordable Housing Finance Magazine’s Top 50 list of the biggest developers in the country.

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• Demolition Of University Mall Sears Makes Way For Uptown District
• Transformation Of University Mall Into Urban Village To Begin
• Residents Invited To Learn More About Uptown Revival Plans