The housing market is booming in the Tampa Bay area, but some community members are worried some of those price tags for homes could have a negative impact on certain neighborhoods.
What You Need To Know
- Online post of a home for sale in South St. Pete on 12th Avenue South is catching the attention of a lot of people
- Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers pointed out some of the ripple effects this type of home sale could have for the people who live here
- Commissioner Flowers said there’s still a major gap in who can actually afford these homes.
- The realtor maintains these new builds in this urban area will lift up the neighborhoods
An online post of a home for sale in South St. Pete on 12th Avenue South is one that’s catching the attention of a lot of people, including lifelong St. Pete resident and Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers.
“The price said $325,000 for 12th Avenue South, which is really the heart of Midtown. I just couldn’t believe it,” Flowers said.
She posted the listing on her Facebook page for one of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom newly built homes for sale in the predominantly Black, low-income neighborhood.
“When you look at the average income of Black people, most would not be able to afford this home. So, if a Black person doesn’t purchase, who will?” the post read.
Flowers’ post also pointed out some of the ripple effects this type of home sale could have for the people who live here.
“The racial makeup of south St. Pete will change, thus further eroding the potential for a Black person to win a Council seat in Districts 5, 6, or 7,” her post read.
The newly elected county commissioner once represented the area where the four brand new homes are for sale in the Thirteenth Street Heights area. She grew up in Jordan Park and lives about 10 minutes away, so she’s familiar with the area and the people who live in that area.
This is the listing that drew the attention of Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers.
“When you look at the revenues that persons earn in that community, only because of the push for the fight for $15 (minimum wage) are some of them now just earning $12 to $15 an hour so that’s around $27,000 a year,” Flowers said. “And if we go on what the federal guidelines say that 33% to 35% of your income should go towards housing, they could never afford it.”</…….
Source: https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/10/22/south-st–pete-homes-with–325-000-price-tag