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YouThrive Florida outlines plan for six workforce homes on Smith Street, seeks city partnership
Summary
YouThrive Florida told the council it owns property on Smith Street and can build six workforce homes (600–700 sq ft) intended for first‑time buyers and workforce households; the nonprofit sought council feedback on expanding the footprint in partnership with the city or county.
Representatives of YouThrive Florida presented a workforce‑housing concept to the council on June 17 that would place six small single‑family homes on property the organization owns on Smith Street and explore a broader partnership with the city to create additional units.
“My name is Richard Savanero. I’m the program director for the House to Homes for Youth Thrive Florida,” Richard Savanero said. He told the council that the Smith Street parcel could accommodate six homes without pushing density and that a collaborative plan with adjoining city property could create up to 18 units in the area. Savanero said the two‑ and three‑bedroom models they showed are 600–700 square feet, with estimated mortgage costs of about $130,000–$140,000 after construction.
Nick Holmes, who identified himself for the record as a member of Home Staffing Services and as a project technical representative, explained that the homes are not “tiny homes” under Florida building code (the code treats under‑400‑sq‑ft units as tiny homes). He said the proposed smaller home footprints aim to lower construction costs so more households can qualify under HUD income tiers for workforce housing.
Councilmembers asked about qualifications, utilities, setbacks and potential impacts on the Good Neighbor Trail and adjacent CSX property. Savanero said YouThrive performs background and credit checks, targets residents who can qualify for a mortgage, and is open to design adjustments the council requests. Council support was generally positive and staff was directed to follow up with David Hanley and other relevant departments to explore partnership logistics and any necessary platting or utility work.
Outcome: Council agreed to continue discussions and directed staff to meet with YouThrive representatives and review the property and utility questions; no formal action was taken.
