Pasco County is located on the west coast of Florida, along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It forms the northern boundary of the Tampa Bay area, separating the populous communities of Tampa and St. Petersburg from the sparsely populated farmlands and ranches to the north.
Pasco County is rectangularly shaped, roughly 57 miles wide and 27 miles long. Physiographically, Pasco has flatlands to the west and rolling hills to the east. Underlying the central section of the County is several thousand feet of limestone, which is the principal water wellfields for the millions who live south of Pasco County.
Action Plan
The Pasco County, Florida Consolidated Plan represents goals to provide decent housing, create suitable living environments, and expand economic opportunities. It includes a one year Action Plan budgeting $4,655,250.00 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), program income, and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds in 1995. The bulk of the funds are going to providing housing related activities, target area improvements, public service activities, and homeless activities.
Citizen Participation
The Consolidated Plan provides for and encourages citizen participation, with particular emphasis on participation by persons of very-low, low-, and moderate-income who are residents of slum and blighted areas and of areas in which funds are proposed to be used. The participation of public, private, minority and not-for-profit organizations during the development process was instrumental in the completion of the Plan.
Citizen participation provides a means of involving the citizens of Pasco County, in an advisory capacity, in all phases of the HUD programs. Citizen participation in such efforts is essential if the activities to be undertaken are to be truly successful and responds to the concerns of the community. First, citizens have a first-hand knowledge of their housing, neighborhood, and economic needs. Second, they frequently have definite ideas about how and what priority these needs should be addressed. Third, in order to implement redevelopment strategies, citizen cooperation is critical. This cooperation is most easily secured if the community participates, through the planning process, to include the implementation phase. Finally, persons affected by the redevelopment program should have a voice in determining the program activities.
Pasco County is one of the most recent areas to feel the effects of the Tampa Bay building boom. The population in 1960 was 36,785 and the 1995 projected figure is 315,100.
We also have a large seasonal population. Two factors contribute to this phenomenon: warm weather and agriculture. The warm weather attracts northern residents, particularly retirees; and the agriculture attracts migrant farm workers. Seasonal population can affect Pasco County by up to 20% of its resident population, putting a great strain on public facilities. This trend is expected to continue.
The population is generally older than the State, and even higher than other Tampa Bay counties. Thirty-two percent of the population is age 65 and over, which is 14% higher than the State.
Conditions
Pasco County's principal employment sector is the service and retail industries. Pasco County also has the region's lowest per capita income, but that is affected by the large amount of retirees.
Pasco County's largest racial group is white, which represents over 96% of the population. Of all minority groups, Hispanics are the largest group with 2% of the population, and blacks with 1%. Pasco is 64th out of the 67 Florida counties in the percentage of the population that are minorities.
Pasco County has the highest low-income percentage in the metropolitan service area, 47%. The County has both the highest very low-income percentage (24%) and other low-income percentage (23%). Black residents are disproportionally more low-income than residents as a whole (77%). They also have a very large very low-income percentage (50%). Hispanic residents also have a higher low-income percentage, but not as high as the black population (57%).
Housing Needs
Pasco County's housing stock is generally low-rise, unattached structures. Even a large portion of the rental stock is single-family housing.
Most of the housing is small-sized, under two bedrooms. This reflects the large amount of retirees in the community that do not need large units. In fact, while there are 1,947 rental households that have five or more members, there are 4,573 rental units that are three bedrooms or more in the community.
Most residences in Pasco County are owner-occupied (66%). This is 9% higher than the State average and higher than all surrounding counties except for one.
A large percentage, 13%, of units is categorized as "other vacant units." This reflects the seasonal population. The County attracts a large amount of retirees that only live in Pasco County during the wintertime months.
The rental housing is largely affordable and available. Except for renters that make 0-30% of the median family income, there is an oversupply of affordable rental units. This is especially true for households that make under 80% of the median family income. While there are 13,790 rental households in this category, there are 24,479 rental units affordable to this group.
The same can be said for homeowners. Every category of homeownership income group shows there are enough affordable owner-occupied units. While the census has shown that there are 43,579 owner units that are under 80% of the median family income, there are 61,969 units affordable to that group. However, percentage-wise, there is less of an oversupply of affordable homeowners units compared to rental units (70% compared to 56%).
Pasco County's housing stock is generally new, with over 80% of its units built after 1960. While these units are normally in good condition, there are pockets of substandard housing within the County. Because much of Pasco's housing stock was constructed to cater to retirees and the second home market, many of the housing units are smaller. Only 29% of the units are three bedrooms or more. This lack of larger units gives large families very little alternatives in housing opportunity. Mobile home parks with recreational facilities for the elderly are sprinkled throughout the County. The elderly need smaller units that are convenient to shopping and services.
Housing Market Conditions
Housing market conditions were just addressed, however assisted housing is enumerated as follows:
Public housing complexes - 6 complexes with 205 units
New construction Section 8 - 2 complexes with 125 units
Farmers Home Administration - 3 complexes with 187 units
Section 8 certificates - 574 certificates
Section 8 vouchers - 96 vouchers
Family self-sufficiency vouchers - 45 vouchers
Section 236 - 135 units
Florida Housing Finance Agency - 332 units
Through the use of CDBG, HOME, SHIP, and Tampa Bay Community Redevelopment Corporation, and SAIL funds, Pasco County is addressing the housing needs. No units are expected to be lost because of prepayment, termination of Federal assistance, or other reasons from the assisted housing inventory.
Affordable Housing Needs
Pasco County has many opportunities to increase the amount of affordable housing. The most obvious opportunity is the price of land. Land is relatively inexpensive. Much of the residentially designated land that is now being used for agriculture is available for under $6,000 per acre. Pasco has several large tracts of land available, which makes it easier and cheaper for builders to develop.
In addition, after conducting a neighborhood housing survey, Pasco County is targeting area neighborhoods to receive in the form of comprehensive assistance offering many incentives.
The low interest rates have also created an opportunity for Pasco residents. Very low-, low- and moderate-income persons that could never have afforded a house are now getting the opportunity to become homeowners.
Finally, Pasco County has placed few restrictions on mobile homes, allowing for a large amount of these affordable housing units to be placed all over the County.
Homeless Needs
Pasco County has 176 homeless persons. Currently, there are 3 women's shelters and one men's shelter. In addition to that, there is 1 runaway shelter and 1 transitional house.. The women's shelters offer 64 beds, the men's shelter has 20 beds, the runaway shelter has 12 beds, and the transitional house has two bedrooms.
Services for the homeless and those threatened with homelessness are as follows:
Soup kitchen, social services-rent, utilities, clothing, food, dental, medical, transportation, burials, nursing homes, mental health assistance, job training/assistance, education, and various forms of assistance.
Pasco County has 101 total emergency shelter beds and 176 homeless. There is a definite need for shelter services. This, in addition to the County's rapid growth and the seasonal migration of homeless persons, will continue to be a problem if not addressed.
Acknowledging the fact that transitional housing is a vital element in addressing the issues that many people are not capable of going directly from a homeless situation to a real home, Pasco County will pursue avenues for transitional housing.
Better coordination among the homeless providers will be addressed by the Community Development Division. In addition, Pasco County will support any HUD grants applied for by not-for-profits to address sheltered or unsheltered needs of these populations.
Public and Assisted Housing Needs
Public housing is administered by the Pasco County Housing Authority (PHA). The PHA has the responsibility of operating housing projects for the benefit of lower-income families and providing funds for families to find decent and safe housing. The PHA has 207 public housing units.
Resident initiative is strongly encouraged by the PHA administration. The Authority has established regular monthly tenant meetings in all complexes.
There are 1,303 units managed/administered by the PHA. They are as follows:
Public housing (6 complexes) 207 units
Section 8 new construction (2 complexes)133 units
Section 8 existing certificates and vouchers764 units
FmHA low income (3 complexes) 97 units
FmHA farm workers housing (1 complex)102 units.
The condition of the units managed by PHA used to be in poor shape. But with CIAP, CDBG, and HOME funds and the reserve funds from the Authority, most of the units physical condition has been improved and the improvements are an ongoing process.
In 1994, PHA served 7,942 very low- and low-income persons, and 29 moderate- income persons.
Barriers to Affordable Housing
Pasco County has not identified any excessive, exclusionary, discriminatory, or duplicate aspects in its statutes, ordinances, regulations, and administrative procedures and processes that may constitute barriers to affordability to date.
The Comprehensive Plan's Housing Element summarizes the goals, objectives, and policies for housing and they are to: assure an adequate supply of all housing types in appropriate locations, assure the availability of affordable housing, particularly low to moderate income, assure high standards of housing quality, assure equal housing opportunities, eliminate slum and blight, and provide for the special housing needs. In addition, the Ship Incentive Plan addresses housing policies and procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that have a significant impact on the cost of housing.
Other affordable housing issues being addressed are downpayment assistance, public housing rehabilitation, homeowner rehabilitation, rental rehabilitation, clearance and demolition of dilapidated structures, and neighborhood revitalization. Funding for these are currently through CDBG, HOME, SHIP, and CIAP.
Fair Housing
At the time of submission of the Consolidated Plan, regulation have not been published as to what is required. Currently, Pasco County has no current court orders, consent decrees, or HUD-imposed sanctions that affect the provision of fair housing remedies.
Lead-based Paint
Being a County with newer housing stock, lead is not as much of a problem as it is in other areas. Pasco County has a .003% poisoning rate, reflecting a possible 108 cases of lead poisoning.
Community Development Needs
The purpose of identifying the needs of Pasco County's citizens is to develop a strategic plan that will establish a unified vision for community development actions. The needs are ongoing and are enumerated as follows: 1) Positive employment opportunities are needed to attract and develop a labor force; 2) Improvement of juvenile delinquency; 3) Improvement of adult illiteracy; 3) Adequate supply of schools; 4) Transportation; 5) Economic growth; 6) Public services; 7) Public facilities; and 8) Public improvement needs.
Vision for Change
The Plan brings the needs and resources together in a coordinated housing and community development strategy. The strategy is developed to achieve the following statutory goals, principally for low-, very low-, and extremely low-income residents: 1) Provide decent housing; 2) Create suitable living environments; and 3) Expand economic opportunities.
Housing and Community Development Objectives and Priorities
Over the next 3 years, Pasco County intends to initiate and continue to aid various projects which will benefit extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate income persons. The Plan's objectives are to improve existing housing conditions and increase the availability of very low- to moderate-income housing opportunities through affordable housing programs; provide improvement of the quality of life to very low- to moderate-income persons through public service programs, addressing human service needs and infrastructure improvements; provide programs to improve and upgrade the living environment for public housing residents through capital improvement projects, rehabilitation, public services, and the provision of homeownership opportunities; and to work to get a stronger industry base and attract businesses to the County.
Housing Priorities
Renters will be assisted with acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, modernization, rental assistance, and support facilities and services. Homeowners will be assisted through acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, homebuyer assistance, and support facilities and services. First-time homebuyers will be able to obtain acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction.
The priorities for homelessness alleviation include providing adequate emergency shelters, transitional and permanent housing alternatives, rental assistance, creating support services, and better overall coordination.
Priorities for non-homeless persons with special needs are acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, and support facilities and services.
Non-Housing Community Development Priorities
Due to the County's rapid growth, there will be a continued need for public facilities, infrastructure improvements, public service, and economic development.
Antipoverty Strategy
The lack of affordable housing coupled with low salaries is a major concern. One major problem is the working poor. They have just enough income to be ineligible for most assistance. In addition to this, many of the population at the poverty level lack sufficient skills and training in order to obtain a job. The proper educational opportunities tied to supportive services to individuals is the answer.
Housing and Community Development Resources
The primary Federal resources include CDBG, HOME, Section 8, public housing, CIAP, ESG, and Section 811. State resources include SHIP, CSBG, and the SAIL programs. Local resources include Tampa Bay Community Reinvestment Corporation, Pasco County Housing Finance Authority, as well as local lending institutions and numerous not-for-profits and churches.
Coordination of Strategic Plan
The Pasco County Community Development Division is responsible for the Consolidated Plan activities, but many public and private organization are involved in administering plan components. The Community Development Division, in conjunction with the municipalities, citizens, and not-for-profit organizations will continue networking and trying to assess what our residents need and how best to meet those needs.
Description of Key Projects
The Pasco County One Year Action Plan outlines the proposed use of approximately $4.7 million in CDBG, HOME, and Emergency Shelter Grants funds. The bulk of these funds will address:
Note that the Pasco County Housing Authority has applied for $762,100 in CIAP funds.
Locations
The estimated $4.7 million allocation is disbursed throughout the entire County, with target area dollars being addressed in the eastern designated section of the County.
Lead Agencies
The Pasco County Community Development Division is known as the lead agency for housing in the County. They will continue to work with various committees, not-for-profits, municipalities, and public agencies to coordinate all housing issues for the County.
Housing Goals
The one year goal will be reached by addressing the following objectives:
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
Dianne Morris, Director Community Development
7530 Little Road, Suite 340
New Port Richey, FL 34654
PH: (813) 847-8970
