housing Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

St. Pete officially opts out of county tenant protections in favor of adopting its own renter bill of rights

Activists are happy with some of the changes, but continue to push for a tenant’s right to counsel.

by Arielle Stevenson December 12, 2022June 7, 2024

Activists are happy with some of the changes, but continue to push for a tenant’s right to counsel.

St. Pete’s push for a tenant’s right-to-counsel takes another small step towards reality

It’s gonna take a while though.

by Arielle Stevenson August 19, 2022June 10, 2025

Photos: Despite pleas from constituents, St. Pete City Council kills rent control ballot initiatives

by Arielle Stevenson August 12, 2022

St. Pete City Council moves closer to putting rent control on the ballot

“Housing is a basic human right. Let us vote.”

by Arielle Stevenson August 4, 2022December 9, 2024

Tampa’s new housing assistance hotline is not meant to take the place of potential tenant advocacy office

The mayor warned landlords about price gouging, despite being against rent control or stabilization.

by Ray Roa June 22, 2022September 7, 2024

Over the last year, Tampa mortgage rates grew faster than anywhere else in the country, report says

Tampa’s mortgage rates are 52.3% higher than a year ago.

by Sofía García Vargas April 22, 2022August 17, 2023

Nikki Fried and Tampa councilwoman Lynn Hurtak speak out against living conditions at Silver Oak Apartments

Both Fried and Hurtak vowed to take action.

by Justin Garcia April 19, 2022April 2, 2025

After initial meetings, St. Pete officials remain open to offering more renters a guaranteed right to legal counsel

A timetable is unknown, and councilman Richie Floyd wants tenants to have the option before they’re facing eviction.

by Arielle Stevenson April 15, 2022November 20, 2024

As housing crisis continues, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch details distribution of $34 million in ARPA funds

He met with housing activists last month, and has another meeting on the books for April 20.

by Arielle Stevenson April 8, 2022May 16, 2024

Tampa witnessed a 32 percent increase in home prices last month, the third highest in nation, says report

The current median home listing price in the city is $399,000, the study says.

by Sofía García Vargas April 1, 2022November 17, 2024

Florida currently has 1.6 million vacant homes, the most in the country, report says

The Sunshine State also ranked sixth with the highest vacancy rate.

by Sofía García Vargas March 31, 2022July 28, 2025

People in Orlando love moving to Tampa, says report

They don’t want their house near the Mouse.

by Sofía García Vargas March 24, 2022April 12, 2025

Pinellas Commissioners expand rental assistance to tenants in hotels and motels, with a time limit

The county will now assist people living in hotels and motels, but only for 120 days.

by Justin Garcia March 8, 2022November 3, 2024

Despite over 100 people pleading for help at city hall, Tampa City Council shoots down rent control

Council cited legal reasons and will discuss an alternative ordinance on April 21.

by Justin Garcia February 24, 2022June 25, 2025

Tampa’s Fun-Lan drive-in has sold to an apartment company for over $11 million

The company that originally purchased the land last December doubled their money in the sale.

by Justin Garcia February 22, 2022June 7, 2025

Tampa apartment complex tenants plan protest against mass eviction and poor living conditions

The action is happening on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m.

by Justin Garcia January 18, 2022October 5, 2024

Tampa City Council votes 6-1 to approve first reading of ‘tenant’s bill of rights’

The vote did not pass without scrutiny.

by Justin Garcia January 13, 2022April 11, 2025

Tampa Tenant Union plans city hall rally demanding rent control

‘In the middle of a pandemic, this massive increase in rents is pricing many out of their homes and even into the streets.’

by Justin Garcia January 10, 2022August 17, 2023

With housing crisis growing, Tampa City Council will discuss a ‘rent stabilization ordinance’

Multiple Tampa city council members have called the rent situation in Tampa a “crisis” this year.

by Justin Garcia December 20, 2021September 16, 2024

St. Petersburg renters will present housing demands at final city council meeting of the year

‘The only way we’re going to see change in this city is if working people come together and make demands.’

by Justin Garcia December 14, 2021August 3, 2023