St. Vincent de Paul CARES Expands Affordable Housing in Pasco County With New Buildings Planned for 2026

Wesley Chapel / New Port Richey, FL — A nonprofit organization with deep roots in Pasco County is making a significant push to combat homelessness this year, opening several new residential buildings across the region as demand for affordable housing continues to climb.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES, which operates with the goal of making homelessness rare across the Tampa Bay area, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for the newest addition to its Ozanam Village campus in New Port Richey. The 33-apartment building is the latest in a string of housing developments the organization is completing throughout 2026, with four more buildings expected to open before the year is out.

A Growing Crisis Requires a Growing Response

CEO Michael Raposa spoke at the ribbon-cutting, noting that affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Tampa Bay communities right now. According to Raposa, the only real solution to homelessness is ensuring there is a supply of safe, accessible housing that works for people at every income level — something the region has been struggling to provide as housing costs have risen sharply over the past several years.

The Ozanam Village facility already houses dozens of residents who have experienced homelessness, addiction, or both. New residents who applied within the past 60 days are expected to begin moving into the newly opened building in June.

Residents Describe Life-Changing Impact

For those who have already benefited from the program, the results speak for themselves. One resident who moved in roughly a year ago described the facility as giving her back her future — something she said she had all but given up on. She lives at the property with her young daughter and credits the organization with helping her move past a period of homelessness and addiction. Without access to this type of housing and support, she said her situation would likely be far worse.

Another new resident, who saw his unit for the first time on the day of the ribbon-cutting, called the housing a long-overdue resource for the community.

What This Means for Pasco County

With four additional buildings still on the schedule for 2026, St. Vincent de Paul CARES is positioning itself as one of the most active providers of transitional and permanent supportive housing in Pasco County. For Wesley Chapel residents and neighboring communities, the expansion signals a broader effort to address housing insecurity at a scale that matches the growing need.

Those interested in learning more about the organization or its housing programs can visit the St. Vincent de Paul CARES website directly.

Source: Bay News 9 (Pasco)