Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 10-26-20

Feature
CDC Of Tampa’s Newest Venture Is Affordable Townhouses
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
In 1992, a group of civic activists led by Mrs. Chloe Coney, decided to make a significant difference in the “community of neighbor- hoods” known as East Tampa. They named the coalition the CDC (Corpora- tion to Develop Communi- ties of Tampa, Inc.) Since its inception, the CDC has been creating affordable housing in Tampa. For the past 10 years, CDC has been includ- ing neighboring communi- ties. Since its inception, the CDC has built more than 80 single family homes, 210 rental units and 52,000 square feet of commercial space.
Currently, the CDC of Tampa has built and opened
Ernest Coney, Jr., the President and CEO of the CDC and the son of its founder, states that they were looking for property and found this expanse of land with nothing but a portable church on it. As he explored the adjoining area, he noticed that a lot of the properties were duplexes and garden-style apartments with access issues, providing security concerns for the res- idents. Most of the apart- ments were not handicap-accessible and not friendly to the elderly.
The CDC model was cre- ated with the idea of a strong family. The townhouse style was chosen to give people a sense of home while they were renting. The units are all three bedrooms, two and a half baths, and a garage.
The first Phase of the townhouse community is completed and full. The second phase will hopefully be built in 2021.
ERNEST CONEY, JR. President and CEO CDC of Tampa, Inc.
its newest venture, a rental townhouse community on E. Diana Street near N. 43rd Street in the Del Rio area of Tampa. This area is also known as the “Fish Bowl” be- cause of the numerous streets named after fish.
The units give occupants the feeling of home ownership with the garage and fenced in areas. There are patios where parents can grill and get together. Kids can play in the garage if its raining or out with their friends.
The project is targeted to- ward people with a house- hold income between $20,950 as a single person to $47,850 for a family of four. However, people interested should contact the CDC to see if they qualify. To be cost-effective for families, the rent ranges from $560 to just over $1,000.
Phase 1 has just been completed with 24 units. An- other 24 units will be built in Phase II, slated for 2021. The entire community will be 48 units. The first phase was
funded by Hillsborough County and Coney is hoping that they will assist with the second phase.
With Robles Elementary right next door, the CDC hopes to bring in strong fam- ilies with school-aged chil- dren. The children will have the opportunity to grow up together, going to the same schools.
Coney states, “The CDC wants to strengthen and unite families, especially in times like these with COVID.” The CDC builds communities and assets within our communities, to build stronger paths to edu- cation and home ownership. The CDC continues this ap- proach in many ways, in- cluding the CDC Workforce Development Center.
FYI
Commissioner Urges Community To Take
Advantage Of Drug Take Back Events
During the recent Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance gave a presentation highlighting the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescrip- tion Drug Take Back Day.
Commissioner Stacy White said, “I encourage everyone in Hillsborough County to take a look through their medicine cabinets. If you have anything past its expiration date or unused from a previous illness, bringing it to one of these events is an easy and safe way to dispose of the drug. It helps keep your cab- inets clean, unnecessary medications out of the public water supply, and your medical information confidential,” he said.
This year’s National Drug Take Back Day events in Hills- borough County will be held at the following locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on October 24, 2020 at the following lo- cations:
Brandon Regional Hospital, Brandon Medical Plaza, 425 S. Parsons Ave. Brandon, FL. 33511;
Walmart, 1505 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33607; Walmart, 7011 West Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33634; and CVS Pharmacy, 3102 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33611.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020