St. Pete Standard

Residents of the newly opened Innovare apartments in downtown St. Petersburg are expressing gratitude for the stability and hope provided by the affordable housing initiative. At a grand opening event, Sloan, the first new resident at Innovare, shared his journey, stating, "I went from having a normal life, working, doing my thing, on a Tuesday to a Wednesday I had an event happen that literally turned my world upside down and I lost everything that I had." Sloan also acknowledged the impact of the project, saying, "You’re changing lives one person at a time - that’s what you’re doing. You have no idea the impact you’re having on the individuals that you’re helping."

The Innovare apartments, a project supported by local partners in the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, offer stable homes to 75 individuals and families, including those transitioning from homelessness. Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice highlighted the importance of such initiatives, noting, "We are proud to support projects like Innovare because they support our whole community – they make sure Pinellas is a hometown where everyone can thrive."

Commissioner Rene Flowers emphasized the collaborative effort in Pinellas County to provide quality and affordable housing, stating, "In Pinellas County, we’ve formed a coalition of cities and government agencies who have a shared mission to support quality homes that all our hardworking residents can afford." Flowers also stressed the need for mutual support, saying, "We have to be each other’s brother and sister."

St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch underscored the significance of the Innovare Apartments in addressing housing challenges, describing them as "a beacon of hope" and a symbol of the city's commitment to affordable housing for its residents. The grand opening of Innovare aligns with the broader efforts in St. Petersburg to provide affordable housing options, with more projects underway to cater to the housing needs of the community.