WGI Insights

Casa di Francesco Affordable Housing Structure

Written by WGI | Apr 4, 2024, 1:00:26 PM

Say Hello to Casa di Francesco

Casa di Francesco, a new affordable housing community in Seffner, FL, of East Hillsborough County, officially broke ground on Tuesday, December 19th, an event that members of WGI had the incredible opportunity to attend.
"Projects so close to home, keep reminding us to be inspired and motivated to be a part of solutions that can serve our community. I went to Brandon High School, not too far away and it's nice to provide support to BlueSky Communities for another affordable housing project." - Marcía L. Alvarado, PE, Building Client Manager
[caption id="attachment_210722" align="aligncenter" width="1515"] Photos Courtesy of Blue Sky Communities[/caption]
Constructed on a vacant piece of land owned by the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the four-story complex will feature 140 new affordable housing units made available to seniors over the age of 62. Of the 140 units, 15% will be designated for individuals who earn below 30% of the area's median income, with the remainder being reserved for those earning less than 60%. Developed by Tampa Bay-based Blue Sky Communities, a leader in affordable and workforce housing development, Casa di Francesco is poised to make an immense and positive impact on the community in which it serves. And with $6.1 million in funding made available by Hillsborough County, this highly anticipated complex is set to open its doors as early as 2025! WGI is honored to have be awarded the opportunity to provide Structural Engineering services for the Casa di Francesco project as part of this truly inspiring initiative. This structure has been erected in the past four months due to the diligence and determination of Park & Eleazer.
“Think about the situation of so many people who, after having worked hard all of their lives, still don’t have access to decent housing. We are committed to helping seniors obtain decent housing, and these 140 apartments are a solid step towards reaching that goal.” - Father Edison Bernabas, pastor at St. Francis of Assisi

Affordable Housing Like None Other

Beyond the construction of the Casa di Francesco complex alone, Blue Sky Communities, alongside Catholic Charities, have partnered to provide programs and amenities to better serve and support future Casa di Francesco residents in their day-to-day lives. Among these offerings are:
  • On-Site Weekly Literacy Lessons
  • Resident Assurance Check-in Programs
  • 24/7 Property Management
  • A Clubhouse w/ Craft Room
  • An Exercise Room and Library
  • A Community Garden and Picnic Areas
  • A Series of Walking Trails
  • And So Much More - at No Cost to its Residents
[caption id="attachment_214581" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Aerial Photo Courtesy of Park & Eleazer[/caption]
Furthermore, accessibility will be an essential focus of the complex with the inclusion of two elevators, surface parking, and a convenient proximity to a local public parking complex.
"This is an excellent example of what we can achieve when we all work together.” - Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County Commissioner

Partners in Impact

At WGI, our vision is simple - To creatively transform how our world is envisioned, designed, and experienced. That is why we are so proud to continue to partner with incredible organizations such as Blue Sky Communities on impact projects like the Casa di Francesco affordable housing community.
[caption id="attachment_210723" align="aligncenter" width="1350"] WGI's Marcía L. Alvarado, PE, Pictured with Ash Leyva, BlueSky, Jenny Miers, PLACE Architecture, and Greg Giakoumis, BlueSky.[/caption]
Who are Blue Sky Communities? They are a Tampa Bay real estate developer of affordable and workforce housing. A leader across Florida in development, property management, and advocacy, some areas of Blue Sky Communities' expertise include:
  • Housing Credits
  • Tax-Exempt Bonds
  • CDBG, HOME, SHIP, SAIL, and other incentives
“It is an honor to collaborate with the Diocese on a development of this magnitude. Through these partnerships, Blue Sky helps to develop neighborhood assets that stakeholders can be proud of for decades.” - Ash Leyva, Vice President of Project Development at Blue Sky Communities

Let's Make an Impact Together

Possessing an already extensive portfolio of affordable housing projects across the nation, our team of experts relishes the opportunity to continue to work on these inspirational initiatives. Be sure to check out just a few of our affordable housing spotlights below and stay tuned for updates on the ever-inspiring Casa di Francesco! Contact our team of experienced Structural Engineers, and let's discuss how WGI can help you make a lasting and inspirational impact on your community - let's work together to build a brighter tomorrow, today!
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