Are Tampa Bay elected officials doing enough to solve the housing emergency?

Housing costs are spiraling out of control in the Tampa Bay area. Whether it’s the cost to buy a house or the cost of the rent.

It has caused some Tampa Bay area communities to declare a housing state of emergency and to take other measures to help tenants.

Housing emergency

Last month the City of Tampa voted to move forward with allowing residents to decide on the November ballot whether the city should declare a housing emergency.

This month Hillsborough County approved housing protections for tenants.

According to the United Way Suncoast, about half of families across Tampa Bay are rent-burdened, which means they spend 30% or more of their income on housing.

On Tuesday Café (16 Aug 2022) we heard from listeners about their housing situations.

Listen to the show here:

Here are a few listener suggestions of where you can get assistance

Call 211 or visit 211.org

Step Up Suncoast

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

HUD

WMNF’s Tuesday Café

You can listen to WMNF’s Tuesday Café at 10:06 a.m. ET on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.