Housing

Housing and neighborhood renewal playy an important role in enhancing the economic health and vibrancy of the county. Well-maintained neighborhoods increase in property value over time, and they help attract new economic investment and promote job creation.

Neighborhoods that successfully integrate employment, retail, and residential uses are especially attractive to many residents and businesses. Allowing opportunities for people to live, work, and shop in a single, compact area increases convenience,

encourages walking and bicycling, enables more efficient use of public transit, and helps reduce traffic congestion caused by long automobile commutes. These mixed-use neighborhoods are especially beneficial when located in or near employment districts.

The countywide Redevelopment Strategies and Policies Summit , held in October 2003, called for new housing approaches and strategies to complement the goal of expanding high wage primary jobs. The summit participants strongly supported the goal of creating quality residential areas close to employment districts, allowing higher-density housing in appropriate areas, and upgrading property maintenance standards in neighborhoods.

Based on these results, a follow-up study commissioned by the Pinellas County Community Development Department/Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County recommended that local governments take the following actions to create or enhance residential areas near employment districts:

Allow and encourage higher-density housing.
Promote the concepts of New Urbanism, including integration of residential, retail, employment, and public land uses in an attractive, walkable, transit-friendly environment.
Inventory and assemble land suitable for these residential developments, using public/private partnerships when available.
Maintain the quality of existing neighborhoods through proactive code enforcement programs.
Fund neighborhood enhancements such as beautification, open space preservation, and urban design standards.
Encourage residential redevelopment through regulatory and financial incentives.

The study, entitled Housing Strategies for Employment Centers, is available online. To return to Redevelopment Topics, click here.