A new affordable housing community is taking shape in Tampa. Rio Palma Apartments will bring 90 affordable homes designed for local families.
Community leaders, housing advocates, and the development team gathered at 7200 Causeway Blvd to mark the groundbreaking. The project is part of a broader effort to expand housing options for working residents in Hillsborough County.
Leading the development is Blue Sky Communities, a Tampa-based company focused on building sustainable and family-friendly housing across Florida.
“Today is about more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about providing a foundation where Hillsborough’s hardest working families can thrive without the crushing weight of housing insecurity,” said Shawn Wilson, president of Blue Sky Communities.
“By incorporating more two- and three-bedroom units, we are directly answering the call for family-oriented housing that keeps parents and children close to their schools and jobs.”
Designed for Families
Rio Palma Apartments focuses on family living. The community includes a mix of:
- 16 one-bedroom apartments
- 50 two-bedroom apartments
- 24 three-bedroom apartments
The building follows a garden-style mid-rise design.
Residents will also have access to shared spaces that support daily life. Plans include a fitness room, community center, and playground. Each apartment will include energy-efficient features that help lower monthly utility costs.
A Community Partnership
The Rio Palma Apartments development reflects collaboration between local government and private partners.
“Housing affordability is the cornerstone of a stable community,” said Gwen Myers.
“Rio Palma represents our commitment to ensuring that as Tampa grows, we aren’t leaving our families behind. This development sits in a prime location that connects our residents to the heart of the city’s opportunities.”
Funding partners include Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments, Valley Bank, Bank of America, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
Keeping Rio Palma Apartments Affordable
Affordability remains the core goal of Rio Palma Apartments. Rents will serve households earning 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80% of the Area Median Income.
The community will also accept Section 8 vouchers, VASH vouchers, and other forms of rental assistance. This ensures more residents have access to safe housing.
Property management will be handled by Carteret Management Corporation.
Opening in 2027
Construction of Rio Palma Apartments is now underway. Applications and leasing information are expected in fall 2026, with the community projected to open in early 2027.
For Tampa families seeking stable and affordable housing, Rio Palma Apartments aims to create not just homes—but a community.
