More than 15 residents with special needs have moved into Founders Point Apartments, a new affordable housing development in St. Petersburg. The property, located at 2901 31st Street S., consists of 15 one-bedroom apartments designed for individuals with special needs and low income.
The project was funded by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation in partnership with Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg. Boley Centers developed the property and provides supportive services to help residents achieve stability and independence.
“In St. Pete, we believe Housing Opportunities For All is a key pillar of progress. The Founders Point apartment homes are a commitment to hope and a commitment to progress,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “Safe, stable housing is the foundation for everything – health, education, employment, and dignity. This project is a key example of the power of partnership and demonstrates how we can make a stronger impact when we collaborate across the public and private sector. Thank you to Boley Centers for leading this work for more than five decades and thank you to everyone who made today’s event a success.”
The City contributed over $395,000 toward the development as part of Mayor Welch’s Housing Opportunities For All Plan.
Each unit at Founders Point includes a project-based voucher through the St. Petersburg Housing Authority along with wraparound support services from Boley Centers’ Living Independently, Connecting Communities (LINCC) Team.
A grand opening ceremony last week included leaders from Boley Centers, community members, elected officials such as Mayor Welch, State Representatives Kimberly Berfield and Lindsay Cross; Bill Hardin from the Florida Department of Children and Families; and Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers.
Founders Point is named in honor of Bessie Boley, Mary Koenig, and Ruth Mosher—founders of Boley Manor—and also references Boyd Hill Nature Preserve near the property.
Mayor Welch launched an expanded Housing Opportunities For All Plan in April 2023 to address rising housing costs in St. Petersburg by supporting renters, providing financial assistance for affordable housing preservation, and incentivizing new affordable units in the city. More information about these initiatives can be found at https://www.stpete.org/residents/housing_and_affordability/affordable_housing/index.php.
Housing affordability remains central to Mayor Welch’s agenda as outlined on https://www.stpete.org/government/mayor_s_office/pillars_for_progress.php. The city’s programs aim to help first-time homebuyers and encourage developers to build more homes for low- and moderate-income families.
