St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch marks 100 days in office, focuses on affordable housing
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St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is marking his first 100 days in office by focusing on the critical issue of affordable housing in the rapidly growing city. While he is proud of the achievements made during this period, he emphasizes the need for more significant efforts to address the housing crisis. Welch highlighted that the current projects are insufficient and that the city requires a larger inventory of affordable units to meet demand. Local advocate Aaron Dietrich expressed encouragement regarding Welch's leadership, sharing personal experiences that underline the urgency of the issue.
The Mayor's administration has already implemented several key initiatives, including increasing down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers to help make housing more accessible. Welch is also addressing other challenges such as sea level rise, economic development, and maintaining the presence of the Tampa Bay Rays in the city. The People's Council of St. Petersburg is set to meet with Welch to brainstorm solutions on April 20th. Overall, Welch's administration aims to create a more equitable and sustainable future for St.
Petersburg residents.