Affordable housing moves forward: Flats project advances with county vouchers; Dunedin Commons remains under discussion

City staff told the CRA that the Flats affordable housing project is moving forward with a major financing commitment from the Pinellas County Housing Authority and that construction could begin in the fall pending environmental and archaeological reviews.

"One of the reasons that project came together is a relationship we have with Pinellas County Housing Authority. They brought in $10,000,000 to the deal over 20 years through housing vouchers," Economic Development Director Bob Ironsmith said. Staff said the project will require additional approvals (development agreement, LPA review) and state and federal environmental and historic reviews before construction begins.

Separately, developers for the site behind the bowling alley (referred to as Dunedin Commons) have discussed terminating an existing development agreement and exploring options that could include affordable housing. Planning and legal staff said the developer has not yet filed an amendment or a new development plan; city staff are assisting with entitlement options and said they would pursue available affordable housing resources if the developer moves forward.

Why it matters: The Flats project represents an infusion of voucher-based support that makes low-income units financially feasible; the Dunedin Commons property could add additional housing supply if the developer pursues an affordable component and resolves existing development agreements.

Next steps Staff will continue environmental and entitlement work for The Flats and will coordinate development-agreement discussions with the Dunedin Commons developer as proposals are formalized.