Construction begins on Largo affordable housing development
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Dec 30, 2022

Construction has begun on the Seminole Square Apartments affordable housing project in Largo.

The project will bring 96 affordable units to 2005 Seminole Blvd. and is being developed by Archway Partners. It is a public-private partnership supported by partners in the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, an agreement that local governments created to tackle countywide housing.

Seminole Square Apartments will have one- and two-bedroom apartments for families and individuals with an income ranging from 30% to 80% of the area median income. This breaks down to an average of $17,300 to $46,000 annual income for an individual.

“Housing is a key priority for the city of Largo — to ensure our residents are offered safe, affordable, quality housing options,” Largo Mayor Woody Brown said in a release. “The groundbreaking of Seminole Square Apartments is an important step in expanding housing access to residents earning below the area median income. It demonstrates our city’s ongoing commitment to this objective.”

Pinellas County, the city of Largo and the St. Petersburg Housing Authority partnered with Archway Partners for the project.

According to a release, Seminole Square Apartments received a “combination of federal, state and local funds, including $5.56 million from the county’s Penny for Pinellas housing fund as well as housing tax credits and bonds issued by the Pinellas County Housing Finance Authority, which will be purchased by Bank OZK to provide a construction loan.”

Dave Heaslip, development partner at Archway Partners, said they are grateful for the partnership with the county, Largo and the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, and without their help, the development would not have been possible.

In 2022, five affordable housing developments were completed, providing 223 new homes to residents. Five additional projects are currently approved or under construction — including Seminole Square Apartments — which will bring 755 affordable units to the county.

“We are proud to work alongside so many partners in Pinellas County that see the critical need for housing and come together to make a big difference in the lives of our residents through projects like this,” Pinellas County Commission Chairman Charlie Justice said in a release.