PCHA Receives 2015 FAHRO Best Practices Award for Pinellas Heights Senior Apartments

The Pinellas County Housing Authority was just awarded a Best Practices Award from the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (FAHRO) for the Pinellas Heights Senior Apartments.

PCHA and Norstar Development USA, LLP co-developed Pinellas Heights. “This development is the culmination of a lot of effort made easier by the strength of our partnership with the Pinellas County Housing Authority, and the commitment of the many professionals involved. Everyone involved should be proud of the results. I know we are” said Richard Higgins, President of Norstar Development USA, LP.

Pinellas Heights Senior Apartments is a mixed-finance redevelopment of the former Greenhouse Shoppes commercial strip center. The Housing Authority, County, and City were anxious to help both alleviate the shortage of affordable senior housing, and also replace the outdated, unproductive shopping center with a vibrant development that would put the property to its highest and best use. The building was designed by local architects, Bessolo Design Group.

As an additional benefit to creating 153 new affordable homes for low-income seniors, it is estimated that over $17 million construction dollars were infused into the local economy through this project during 2012 – 2014. Approximately 200 jobs were created during the 18-month construction of Pinellas Heights, and additional jobs were created for management and maintenance of the development. The total impact on employment is about 395 jobs including direct, indirect, and induced.