Published TUESDAY May 7, 2024: 'FLORIDA HOMELESS EXPERIMENT' by ZUMA Partner newspaper The Tampa Bay Times photo-journalist's Martha Asencio-Rhine and Dirk Shadd: 'They're here!' she shouted, raising both arms. 'Oh, they're finally here!', Janet Stringfellow is CEO of Florida's Volunteers of America had long envisioned a place where people could move off the streets. As the US Supreme Court wrestles with whether people should be arresting for sleeping outside, and Florida considers setting up more tent cities, a new project in downtown St. Petersburg opened, offering 25 new apartments to homeless people to help them start over. In this social housing experiment, homeless people get an apartment and support. Everyone is hopeful, excited to help, but they're also wondering: Will this work? Welcome to 'FLORIDA HOMELESS EXPERIMENT'
© zReportage.com Issue #937 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY May 7, 2024: 'FLORIDA HOMELESS EXPERIMENT' by ZUMA Partner newspaper The Tampa Bay Times photo-journalist's Martha Asencio-Rhine and Dirk Shadd: 'They're here!' she shouted, raising both arms. 'Oh, they're finally here!', Janet Stringfellow is CEO of Florida's Volunteers of America had long envisioned a place where people could move off the streets. As the US Supreme Court wrestles with whether people should be arresting for sleeping outside, and Florida considers setting up more tent cities, a new project in downtown St. Petersburg opened, offering 25 new apartments to homeless people to help them start over. In this social housing experiment, homeless people get an apartment and support. Everyone is hopeful, excited to help, but they're also wondering: Will this work? Welcome to 'FLORIDA HOMELESS EXPERIMENT'
A aerial drone view of The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. The Innovare is a 50-unit mixed-use development for residents earning less than the 60 percent of the area's median income. As the US Supreme Court wrestles with whether people should be arresting for sleeping outside, and Florida considers setting up more tent cities, a new project in downtown St. Petersburg opened, offering 25 new apartments to homeless people to help them start over.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KWANISHA PALMER, 37, puts her hand to her face to compose herself as she talks about previously being homeless during an interview in her apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. Palmer lives in the two bedroom apartment with her three teenagers. The Innovare is a 50-unit mixed-use development for residents earning less than the 60 percent of the area's median income.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KALIN STOKES, 40, unpacks the trunk of her car as she moves into her new apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
JOJO, 8, and his mom KALIN STOKES, 40, struggle to drag a heavy box across the floor toward the elevator in the lobby as they move into their new apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. A new project in downtown St. Petersburg opened, offering 25 new apartments to homeless people to help them start over.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KALIN STOKES, 40, and her son JOJO, 8, enter their new apartment for the first time as Kalin's sister MARIA MCGRUDER, 48, takes video of the moment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg. Volunteers of America of Florida coordinated the $18 million venture and funded most of it with grants and loans.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KWANISHA PALMER, 37, in her daughter's bedroom in her apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. Palmer now lives in the two bedroom apartment with her three teenagers.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KWANISHA PALMER, 37, sorts through some recently purchase grocery items in her apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. Palmer lives in the two bedroom apartment with her three teenagers.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
Teenage brothers, JA'DEN MONROE, 15, left, and JAKARI VAUGHN, 17, react to seeing their new apartment which they share with their mother and sister, at Innovare Apartments, a mixed use residential building for residents earning 60 percent of the area's median income in St. Petersburg.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
JANET STRINGFELLOW, CEO of Volunteers of America, L, works to prepare donated groceries for newly arriving residents on move-in day at the Innovare Apartments, a mixed use residential building for people experiencing homelessness or low-income rentals for those earning 60 percent of the area's median income.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
DUSTIN WIRTH, 39, in his new living space at Innovare Apartments. 'What?' Dustin cried, seeing the dishwasher, granite countertops and taupe loveseat. 'Are you kidding me? Thank you so, so much! I've been trying to see that this life is possible,' He tugged on his black ballcap, rubbed his eyes.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KHRIS STAPLE, L, resident director at Innovare Apartments, a mixed use residential building for residents earning 60 percent of the area's median income, hands apartment keys to DUSTIN WIRTH, 39, who was unhoused and staying at Pinellas Hope in Clearwater.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
DONNA WATSON, 64, who was unhoused and sheltering at Pinellas Hope in Clearwater, is welcomed with a hug from JANET STRINGFELLOW, CEO of Volunteers of America on move-in day at Innovare Apartments, a mixed use residential building for residents earning 60 percent of the area's median income.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
LINDA HEIFFNER is welcomed in by KHRIS STAPLE, resident manager, on move-in day at Innovare Apartments, a mixed use residential building for residents earning 60 percent of the area's median income in St. Petersburg.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KWANISHA PALMER, 37, center, reacts to seeing her new apartment during move-in day at Innovare Apartments, a 50-unit mixed use residential building for residents earning 60 percent of the area's median income in St. Petersburg.
© Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
JOJO, 8, checks out the view from one of the two bedrooms with his mother KALIN STOKES, 40, while touring their new fourth floor apartment for the first time at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KALIN STOKES, 40, clutches the keys to her new apartment while finalizing details in the front office before moving into her new 4th floor apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
JOJO, 8, and his aunt MARIA MCGRUDER, 48, being to make his bed for the first time as they move into their new apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District. A new project in downtown St. Petersburg opened, offering 25 new apartments to homeless people to help them start over.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
KALIN STOKES, 40, and her sister MARIA MCGRUDER, 48, give a hug to Kalin's son JOJO, 8, while moving into enter their their new apartment at The Innovare Apartments in St. Petersburg's Innovation District.
© Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
