Dunedin Looks to Sell Affordable Housing to Clearwater

Dunedin wants more affordable housing.

So does Clearwater.

To make that happen, Clearwater's affordable housing officials came to Dunedin's affordable housing officials with an offer on 20 units that they couldn't refuse. 

Clearwater Housing Authority recently offered the appraisal value for Dunedin's only affordable public housing units, "Fairway Gardens I and II," which opened June 2011.

The just market value is $772,600, according to county property records. Dunedin housing officials are still waiting on a independent appraisal before a final price is set.

Dunedin Housing Authority, which has to explain the sale with city commissioners during the April 4 public meeting, proposes using those funds to invest in a new affordable housing project within city limits.

Fairway Gardens, two buildings with 20 apartments at 30 and 110 Lady Mary Dr. N., is actually five miles outside Dunedin, near Clearwater Country Club.

The sale is endorsed by Dunedin Mayor Dave Eggers.

In a March 25 letter to Dunedin Housing Authority chairman Dave Kelly, he wrote:

CHA, now expanding their public housing program, has agreed to purchase the renovated development from DHA at market value. With this sale, DHA will be able to invest in housing within the City of Dunedin, offering additional affordable units and allowing the agency's operations to be more efficient and effective. 

Dunedin Housing Authority acquired the foreclosure properties for $730,000 in October 2010. They were renovated for another $100,000.

Editor's Note (added Wednesday, April 3 at 9:27 a.m.): The Dunedin Housing Authority is a quasi-governmental agency that is independent from the City of Dunedin and is managed by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. It gets most of its funding from HUD.

Article Last Updated Wednesday, April 3 at 9:40 a.m. to clarify the appraisal value of the properties.

Related Stories:

• What is the Dunedin Housing Authority and Why Does It Own Apartments in Clearwater?
• Affordable Housing Seems A Tough Sell
• Open House for Affordable Apartments Slated This Week
• New Affordable Housing Prepares for Tenants

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