PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The pandemic highlighted plights around the nation. One of those is affordable housing.
Residents in New Port Richey are now getting a little extra help. Ozanam Village II is a partnership between Ability Housing, Inc. and St. Vincent de Paul CARES.
Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 30-unit complex on Wednesday.
Half of the units are one bedroom, while the other half are two bedrooms.
Rents will vary depending on a person's income. For example, someone making $1,000 dollars a month will pay about $300 dollars a month in rent.
Shannon Nazworth with Ability Housing said it takes three to five years for affordable housing to get off the ground to a ground breaking.
"The need is so great. It's literally overwhelming how many people need an affordable place to live," Nazworth said.
The reward at the end makes the bear of a process worth it.
"When you see the people move in and you meet the people. Today they had a resident. He was a homeless veteran who came and spoke about the fact that he is going to be moving in. You can't not be thrilled. You can't not be rewarded and realize all the hard work was definitely worth it," Nazworth said.
Ability Housing is currently working on adding thirty additional units next to Ozanam Village II. Those are expected to be complete by mid-2021.
The nonprofit is also working on a 20-unit complex in Jacksonville and an 80-unit complex in Osceola County.
The furniture donated to the unit was provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
For more information about affordable housing at Ozanam Village II. visit www.svdpsp.org.
