Courageously Serving Our Brothers & Sisters

We believe that we serve Christ by serving others. Therefore…

• We will establish 8 – 10 new locations of affordable housing facilities for families and/or singles throughout the Diocese by the end of 2021.

• Goal Update Hernando County: In January of 2019, the Diocese of St. Petersburg purchased a motel in Brooksville to convert the space into 12 efficiency units of affordable housing for low-income veterans. In addition to the purchase price of $350,000, the Diocese invested $200,000 to rehabilitate the property to make it clean, safe and comfortable for the occupants, many of whom were homeless. The property is called St. Teresa Apartments. 
• Goal Update Citrus County: St. Benedict in Crystal River is being redesigned in response to community needs and is being permitted for 18 new units of affordable housing. Article: County Backs Diocesan Housing Project in Citrus
• Goal Update Hillsborough County: 
  • Bella Vista Apartments opened in December 2019 and serves 55 residents with 16 apartments of affordable housing. 
  • The Diocese is moving forward with plans to construct a 20-unit affordable housing community, named Mercy Oaks. This is made possible by our donors as well as a $2.4 million award from Hillsborough County. The total project cost is $3.9 million. Construction is expected to begin later in 2021. 
  • We have purchased the former Carol Motel in Ruskin (to be renamed Las Villas) to provide 13 apartments of affordable housing upon completion of renovations. This was made possible by our donors and a partnership with Hillsborough County, which provided $1.2 million in funding.
  • We have purchased a property in Tampa which has been named Vincent Oaks and will provide 10 apartments of affordable housing upon completion of renovations.
  • We are completing the purchase of a 47-unit Tampa property, La Tierra Verde, in February 2021.
  • Video about Hillsborough Hope. 
• Goal Update Pasco County: We have converted Bethany family apartments in Pasco County into affordable housing that features 12 two-bedroom, one-bath units. St. Vincent de Paul CARES opened Ozanam Village II in New Port Richey in November of 2020.
• Goal Update Pinellas County: Most Holy Name of Jesus Apartments next to Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in St. Petersburg is under consideration.
• Goal Update: Close to 30 individuals with experience in affordable housing gathered at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of St. Petersburg on August 14, 2018 to discuss how to address an important community need – housing for low-income, working families and individuals. “We believe every person has the right to a decent place to live and a safe place to live,” said Bishop Gregory Parkes. “We as a Church believe we can make a difference.” The meeting was the first-ever “Bishop’s Community Forum on Affordable Housing” and it was the first step in achieving one of the goals set forth by the new mutually shared vision of the Diocese, Courageously Living the Gospel.