TAMPA, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) welcomed Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05), lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies which determines federal spending for housing and transportation initiatives nationwide. The Representatives were joined by Jerome Ryans, President and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority, for tours of local affordable housing developments that have benefited significantly from direct federal investments, including many championed by Rep. Castor. The tour included stops at Encore, the West River Redevelopment and Robles Park Village for updates on ongoing projects made possible through federal funding and to discuss the need for continued federal support to improve affordable housing options in the Tampa Bay area. Working together, they have multiplied the number of attainable apartments and townhouses on THA properties over the past fifteen years and are working to achieve significant new attainable housing for local neighbors.

Pictures from today’s tours can be found here.

“Housing that is affordable remains a top priority across the Tampa Bay area, and i am committed to strong, continued federal support to ensure our community partners like the Tampa Housing Authority have the resources they need to help families keep a roof over their head,” said Rep. Castor. “Improving access to safe affordable housing is a win for all our neighbors. It boosts our economy, supports job growth, makes our communities healthier and helps families thrive. I’m grateful to my friend Rep. Quigley for his commitment to improving housing and transportation in Tampa Bay and across the country, and I look forward to working together with our community partners on this important work.”

“During today’s visit, we’ve seen firsthand the power of federal investment to build stronger communities,” said Rep. Quigley. “These investments help create affordable housing, spur economic growth in underserved neighborhoods, and connect communities previously isolated by outdated infrastructure. But our visit also makes clear that there is much more work to be done. As the lead Democrat on THUD, I am committed to protecting housing and transportation funding so cities like Tampa and Chicago can continue to use federal funding to invest in their communities. I’m hopeful that one day very soon, I can return to these developments and see the numerous lives that have been changed as a result.”

“We have a lot of people in this community that need a decent place to live, and we at the housing authority are committed to ensuring residents have access to affordable housing in this community,” said Jerome Ryans, President/CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority. “We’ve made a lot of progress with the support of community leaders and federal funding, but we have a lot more work to do. And we think with the help of Congresswoman Castor and Congressman Quigley, we can make a real difference. We’re thankful for their commitment to public housing and the Tampa community.”