Castor Announces $4.5 Million Grant for Hillsborough's Homeless Youth

Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) has announced the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI) will receive more than $4.5 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (UHD).

This grant will look to “expand services and support” for youth experiencing homelessness in the area.

“Florida’s lack of affordable housing is causing mortgages and rents to skyrocket across the state while pricing my neighbors out of the market entirely,” said Rep. Castor. “As housing costs in Florida have steadily risen, the number of people experiencing homelessness rose for the first time in over a decade in 2022 – and our kids are impacted the most. In fact, people under 18 years of age make up the highest percentage of those experiencing homelessness in Hillsborough, according to THHI.”

She would go on to mention that community organizations are ready to “stretch dollars” from this grant to support the youth.

“It’s important for kids to grow up in safe and nurturing homes. THHI, foster care advocates and other critical community partners are ready to stretch dollars from this significant grant to keep our community’s youth healthy and housed– out of shelters, cars and motels,” stated Rep. Castor.

The grant was awarded through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration initiative. This initiative provides funding to construct housing units, wrap-around services, and housing support.

Moreover, Castor recently commended the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization for choosing to stay in St. Pete.

After years of going back and forth, the organization flirted with the aspect of moving the team closer to the city of Tampa and even considered moving to Montreal, but ultimately determined that they would stay in St. Pete. Castor (D-FL) whose district includes the Tampa Bay region, applauded the decision.

"St. Petersburg and Pinellas County have an incredible opportunity to improve the economic outlook for local residents, grow small businesses and connect neighborhoods through the redevelopment of the historic Gas Plant district with the help of the Tampa Bay Rays and a new ballpark,” stated Rep. Castor. “St. Pete and the Rays properly envision a vibrant community with more housing that is affordable and walkable, and safe connections to South St. Petersburg, Sankofa, downtown, Edge district and surrounding neighborhoods.”

All in all, these two announcements are pretty good for the Tampa Bay region.