Blue Sky Communities to break ground on $27M affordable apartment complex in Winter Haven
By Henry Queen
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jan 27, 2023

St. Petersburg-based Blue Sky Communities plans to build another affordable housing development in Florida.

It will develop an 88-unit garden-style complex in the city of Winter Haven for those earning less than 80% of area median income. Some units will also be available for households at 60% and 30% AMI.

Dubbed Florence Place, the complex will be located on the corner of First Street North and Avenue South, according to a news release.

The cost is expected to hover around $27 million, according to a Polk County news release. Multiple governments are helping to subsidize the development.

The county announced a contribution of $2 million in January through a federal loan underwritten by Neighborhood Lending Partners. Additional funding will come from the city of Winter Haven, the Florida Housing Finance Corp., Chase, Raymond James Tax Credit Fund and Winter Haven-based SouthState Bank.

City leaders first heard from Blue Sky President Shawn Wilson at a planning retreat in 2021. Winter Haven has seen 50% population growth in the last 10 years and expects to see another 50% increase in the next 10 years.

“It was really the city leaders’ vision to make affordable housing a priority, and the staff made it happen," Wilson said in a statement. "Blue Sky is very excited to work with a solid local government that gets things done."

Construction is expected to be complete in early 2024, according to the release. Blue Sky is active in markets across the state.