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Tampa Housing Authority outlines housing, outreach and anti‑trafficking steps
Summary
Tampa Housing Authority described its portfolio, redevelopment projects and steps to detect and prevent human trafficking on properties, including hotlines, staff training, wellness checks and outreach; commissioners asked about preferential housing for survivors.
The Tampa Housing Authority (THA) briefed the commission on its housing portfolio, resident services and anti‑trafficking measures.
Kenny Bryant, assistant director for program and property services at THA, said the agency administers public housing and rental assistance programs, including RAD conversions and a Section 8 inventory. He reported a Section 8 count of about 10,161 units and a wait list of roughly 14,700 as of December 2023. Bryant described mixed‑income redevelopment projects such as West River and the Encore (formerly Central Park), and highlighted partnerships with private developers and neighborhood services.
On anti‑trafficking work, THA has implemented a hotline (internal extensions plus national trafficking hotline), distributed flyers and posters across properties, provided staff training, conducted wellness checks and coordinated with public safety on site. Bryant said THA’s CEO Jerome Ryans maintains a blog on the agency website with human‑trafficking resources and that staff perform outreach to residents and adjacent communities.
Commissioners asked whether THA can prioritize survivors for housing placements. Bryant said executive leadership has discussed carve‑outs for trafficking survivors and homeless veterans but that a comprehensive, formal preferential policy is not yet in place; he said THA will explore operational options.
Next steps: THA will continue outreach and training, and commission members agreed to follow up on whether targeted housing pathways for survivors can be formalized in coming months.
