JP Morgan Chase invests $500K into affordable housing resiliency program

Experts will look for ways to ensure affordable housing meets climate resiliency standards.

JPMorgan Chase is providing a $500,000 grant to support a new housing program in the Tampa Bay region.

The two year grant program will help fund the Tampa Bay Regional Planning council’s new Resilient and Energy Assessment of Communities and Housing (REACH) program.

The project brings together local experts in housing, resiliency and recovery planning to assess potential risks that could affect communities as a result of extreme weather, sea level rise and identify strategies to mitigate those risks.

The project will also address increasing the region’s affordable, resilient housing stock.

“As we work to increase access to affordable housing for Tampa Bay residents, it is critical that we understand the risks these communities face from natural disasters – especially those in the most vulnerable areas for flooding and storm surge,” said Mel Martinez, Chairman of the Southeast U.S. and Latin America region for JPMorgan Chase. “We are investing in this initiative to help community organizations, local government and housing developers understand these risks and ensure that new development or redevelopment plans reflect consistent resiliency standards.”

The project will include experts from the Florida Housing Coalition, United Way Suncoast, the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies and the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Community Research and Design.