The City of Clearwater's Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board convened on December 12, 2023, to discuss various initiatives aimed at improving housing accessibility and community services. The meeting highlighted the performance of several organizations funded to assist local households in achieving homeownership and accessing essential services.

The Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) reported receiving $24,000, of which $20,275 was utilized to assist 106 households, falling short of their goal to help 133 households. They noted no significant challenges in completing their activities.

In contrast, the Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation faced difficulties with their homeownership education and counseling services. They received $18,000 but only managed to use $6,975, helping 58 households instead of the intended 100. The organization cited current market prices, low inventory, and high interest rates as major barriers to encouraging homeownership among families.

Suncoast also reported assisting 74 households, but 16 did not meet grant requirements, limiting their ability to provide support. The discussions underscored a common theme of challenges faced by housing programs, particularly the discouraging market conditions that hinder families from pursuing homeownership. Participants emphasized the importance of ongoing support and counseling to help families navigate these obstacles and remain motivated.

The meeting also addressed public facilities improvements, specifically funding for upgrading an elevator through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The project received $89,107, with $21,470 already spent. The upgrade is crucial for ensuring safe access for the approximately 500 to 1,000 individuals who visit the Clearwater center daily for counseling and medication management services. While the project is ongoing, challenges have arisen in contractor management.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts and challenges faced by local organizations in promoting affordable housing and community services, emphasizing the need for continued support and innovative solutions to address the current housing market difficulties.