City of Tampa Surpasses Mayor Castor’s Goal of 10,000 Affordable Housing Units
The City of Tampa has surpassed Mayor Jane Castor’s goal of facilitating the creation of 10,000 affordable housing opportunities during her administration, with 10,770 units now planned, underway, or completed. Almost half of those 10,770 units are currently under construction or completed.
Announced Wednesday morning, the milestone represents a significant achievement in the city’s ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable housing, preserve existing homes, and ensure Tampa’s continued growth benefits residents across all income levels.
"When I took office, I set a goal that was ambitious, and at times, it seemed out of reach," said Mayor Jane Castor. "But Tampa has never been a city that backs down from a challenge. Today, we can proudly say we didn’t just meet that goal; we surpassed it. This accomplishment belongs to the dedicated team working every day to create housing opportunities, strengthen our neighborhoods, and help more Tampa residents build a future here."
Since 2019, the City has invested more than $100 million in affordable housing initiatives and housing assistance programs to help increase the supply of affordable homes, support income-eligible households, and allow longtime residents to remain safely in the neighborhoods they call home.
The city’s strategy combines new affordable housing developments with investments in existing homes, homeownership assistance, and partnerships with private developers and nonprofit organizations.
Major redevelopment initiatives, including Rome Yards, West River and Marquee Square are expanding housing opportunities throughout Tampa. At the Army/Navy redevelopment site in North Downtown, more than 1,100 units are planned, with more than 700 designated for income-eligible households.
The city’s progress also reflects the importance of preserving existing housing. Through programs such as the Housing Rehabilitation and Renovation Program, income-qualified homeowners can receive assistance with critical repairs that make their homes safer and more resilient. These investments help residents remain in their homes while preserving the character and stability of Tampa’s established neighborhoods.
"Reaching this milestone represents the many ways we are working to address housing affordability across our community," said Abbye Feeley, administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity for the City of Tampa. "From supporting new affordable housing developments to rehabilitating existing homes and helping families purchase their first homes, we are using every tool available to create meaningful, lasting opportunities for Tampa residents."
The milestone comes as the City’s Housing and Community Development Department celebrates another record-breaking achievement. Through the City’s DARE to Own the Dream Homeownership Program, 71 individuals became first-time homeowners in fiscal year 2026, surpassing the previous record of 70 closings in fiscal year 2025.
The DARE program helps eligible homebuyers overcome financial barriers to homeownership by providing down payment and closing cost assistance.
While surpassing the 10,000-unit goal marks an important milestone for the administration, the City of Tampa remains committed to advancing affordable housing initiatives, supporting responsible development, and preserving housing opportunities for current and future generations of Tampa residents.