Historic Overview
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 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 Rather than replace the outdated block of housing, PGHA scattered public housing units throughout a mixed-income community of 171 townhouses and apartments that blended seamlessly into the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, received national recognition in 2009 by receiving the prestigious “2009 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award for Public Housing Revitalization”.
Today PGHA operates its programs successfully while offering the best in resident supports 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.