About Us

The Punta Gorda Housing Authority's mission is to provide quality, affordable rental housing and rental subsidies to qualified low-income households within its jurisdiction of Charlotte County, Florida.

The Punta Gorda Housing Authority is a public body corporate and politic established pursuant to State law; it is not a Federal agency. PGHA has a contractual relationship with HUD to implement programs established by Congress according to federal laws and regulations. The Federal government, through its annual budget process, provides funds to operate these programs.

The Punta Gorda Housing Authority operates the Public Housing program and the Housing Choice Voucher program (also known as Section 8) for low-income residents within its jurisdiction of Charlotte County. A seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Punta Gorda City Council governs the Authority. PGHA's fiscal year runs from April 1 - March 31.

Historic Overview
Pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 421, Part 1, on May 18, 1965, the City Council of the City of Punta Gorda duly adopted and passed Resolution No. 340, declaring the need for a housing authority in the City of Punta Gorda, Florida. In 1970, after several years of procuring and developing property, the Punta Gorda Housing Authority (PGHA) achieved its first occupancy.

Four communities served low-income households in the area over the next thirty-four years. Riverview Gardens and Dolphin Villas served seniors, while Oak Tree Village and Gulf Breeze Apartments served families.

On August 13, 2004, all communities except Oak Tree Village were destroyed when Hurricane Charley, a category 4 hurricane, struck Punta Gorda. After that fateful day, the Punta Gorda Housing Authority determined that an opportunity existed to rebuild the site in an innovative way.

Rather than replace the outdated block of housing, PGHA scattered public housing units throughout a mixed-income community of 171 townhouses and apartments that blended seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood. That community, Gulf Breeze Apartments, opened in 2008 and received national recognition in 2009 by receiving the prestigious "2009 Charles L. Edison Tax Credit Excellence Award for Public Housing Revitalization". After the completion of Gulf Breeze, PGHA pursued funding to rebuild its senior housing lost in the hurricane. Verandas senior housing opened in 2016, providing 120 units of affordable one and two-bedroom units for those over 55.

Today PGHA operates its programs successfully while offering the best in resident support services and programs. The Authority is on course to continue its development efforts and offer additional quality affordable housing to meet the needs of the community.