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Lakeland Housing Authority outlines pipelines: Twin Lakes, Renaissance rehab and RAD conversions; announces national award and new hire
Summary
Ben Stevenson, president and CEO of the Lakeland Housing Authority, gave commissioners an update on multiple affordable‑housing projects including Twin Lakes Estates, Renaissance rehabilitation/RAD plans, and a potential redevelopment of Old Dakota/Carrie Place.
Ben Stevenson, president and CEO of the Lakeland Housing Authority (LHA), presented a multi‑project update to the City Commission on existing and proposed affordable housing work in Lakeland and Polk County.
Stevenson described near‑term plans to demolish a remaining phase at the former Westlake Apartments (now Twin Lakes Estates) and build phase 3, and said LHA applied for low‑income housing tax credits in the most recent funding round. He discussed a potential redevelopment of the Old Dakota (referred to in remarks as Carrie Place) apartments and a planned rehabilitation and RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) conversion for the Renaissance property (the former HOPE VI site). Stevenson said the combined scope at the wholesale site would total roughly 272 units of rehabilitation and new construction (including a referenced 196 units of rehab/new construction and 40 units of existing multifamily during part of the transition), and described an 86‑unit multifamily plan for Twin Lakes with one, two and three‑bedroom units.
Stevenson also said the authority maintains a Section 8 homeownership program and partners with the city’s affordable housing land‑bank, noting the city provided five lots that could be used for voucher holders to purchase homes. He described LHA’s resident services and family self‑sufficiency programs and said they expect some units to be completed in Q1 of the year. Stevenson announced that LHA won a National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials award of excellence for the Eddie Wooder property — described as a 96‑unit tax‑credit property — and introduced Eric Rashad as LHA’s new development and grants administrator.
No formal action was required; commissioners praised the update and asked staff to continue outreach and coordination on land, funding and construction timing.
Key details from the presentation: Twin Lakes Estates—86 planned tax‑credit units; Renaissance/old wholesale site—combination of 272 units of rehab/new construction referenced; Eddie Wooder property—national award; partnership with city for five lots for homeownership initiatives; Section 8 homeownership and family self‑sufficiency programs in place.
Stevenson took questions from the commission and said LHA manages additional properties across Polk County and administers programs that support tenant transitions to homeownership and long‑term self‑sufficiency.
