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University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Housing & Residential Education

Main navigation, community options, ibis hall (usc).

Living on campus at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg is about more than just having a place to sleep when not in class. At the office of Housing & Residential Education, we strive to make residents’ experience of living on campus one that they won’t forget!

QUICK FACTS

• Occupancy: 201
• Year Built: 2012
• Gender: Male Suites/Female Suites
• Number of Residential Floors: 5
• Number of Hall Directors: 1
• Number of Resident Assistants: 5
• Who is housed here? Primarily lower division undergraduate students

Located in the heart of campus, the Ibis Hall (USC) sports a modern feel and plenty of amenities that make it a great place to call home. Offering double or triple shared rooms, the Ibis Hall (USC) overlooks Downtown St. Petersburg on one side and the USF St. Petersburg campus on the other.

Every double shared room includes: 

• 2 twin-XL beds
• 2 wardrobes
• 2 desks and desk chairs

2/3-person Shared Bedspace Suite Dimensions Bedroom Area: 15’ 6” by 10’ 1”  Bathroom: 5’ 5” by 7’ 9” 

Every floor also has a lounge furnished with:

Main lobby front entrance

Fish aquarium in The Reef, USC

Hall lounge on residence hall floor

Students talking in residence hall room

Student on bunkbed in residential room

Student studying at desk by window in room

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College Town @ USF is the premier off-campus housing for students attending University of South Florida. We offer a variety of housing options, and we also provide  amenities  like a dog park, a business center with FREE printing, a brand new fitness center, resort style swimming pool,  and game tables. Step inside and see what College Town @ USF has to offer!

University of South Florida

Housing & Residential Education

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Fall 2024 move in.

We are thrilled that you have decided to Live The Bull's Life at the University of South Florida in Tampa. We want you to be as prepared as possible for move in as it is a very fast-paced and eventful day! USF Housing has an efficient and smooth Grand Opening Day each year and we can't wait for you to be a part of it this fall! 

Key Details For Move-In Day

Below are some key details and important information regarding move-in week. Please view the move-in guide below for more detailed information about move-in!  

• 6,500 residents move in throughout the week before the semester starts. Please be patient with fellow Bulls and our staff and volunteers as you move in.
• We have approximately 200 courtesy carts for all of our residents to use. Please bring your own cart if you have one as we do not have a cart available for every resident moving in.
• Activate your USFCard prior to moving in. Your card must be active to gain access into your building, so remember to activate your card before arriving on campus.
• We accept packages for residents beginning August 8. If you want to ship anything prior to move-in, please wait until August 8. Learn more about on campus mail and look up your mailing address!  
• Arrange travel ahead of time! Moving to college can be extremely stressful and cause a lot of emotion. Make sure you arrange travel and prepare for where to go on move-in day ahead.
• Arriving before or after Grand Opening Day? On Grand Opening Day (August 22), USF Housing has a team of volunteers ready to help you move into your residence hall. If you plan to arrive outside of August 22, you and your guests will be responsible for moving your belongings into your space without assistance.
• Submit your bed height adjustment request early! USF Housing has all Twin XL mattresses and two bed heights on campus that vary by building. More information on bed heights and how to request a bed height adjustment can be found here . DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST YOU BED HEIGHT ON YOUR OWN.  Adjusting the bed on your own can cause damage to the bed and/or potentially harm yourself.

Move-In Guide

Review important dates including early and late arrival procedures.

Remember to bring the essentials when coming to campus! 

Prepare for move-in by using a checklist to ensure everything is squared away! 

Parking is limited so we have designated unloading zones for all of our buildings. 

If you are moving in on August 22, please review all the need-to-know information. 

Tips and tricks for getting settled after you are moved into your space!

NID Housing Joins the 100 City Community Day Tour 2024: Key Takeaways

June 5th, 2024

Homeownership is a cornerstone of economic stability and wealth-building, yet it remains out of reach for many in minority communities due to systemic barriers and financial challenges. 

The 100 City Community Day Tour seeks to bridge this gap by providing critical resources, education, and support to those who need it most. 

Our participation in this initiative allows us to bring our comprehensive range of HUD-Approved Housing Counseling services directly to the communities we serve.

In this blog post, we will discuss NID Housing’s role in the NAREB's 100 City Community Day Tour 2024, highlight the key events and activities, and share the most important takeaways from an empowering day. 

Let's explore how this tour is making a significant impact and what we can learn from it.

NID Housing Joins the NAREB's 100 City Community Day Tour 2024

Joining the NAREB's 100 City Community Day Tour 2024 is a significant step for NID Housing Counseling Agency. This initiative provides a unique platform for us to extend our reach and impact, offering our HUD-Approved Housing Counseling services to a broader audience. 

As housing counseling experts, our goal is to bring valuable resources and support to those who need it most, helping to bridge the gap in housing disparities and promote financial literacy among historically marginalized communities.

Let's see what the event was about.

Highlights of the Event

The 100 City Community Day Tour 2024 took place on April 13th and was a resounding success, packed with activities designed to educate and empower communities across the country. Here are some of the key highlights of the event:

Addressing Housing Disparities

One of the primary focuses of the tour was to address housing disparities that have long affected minority communities. By offering comprehensive programs and educational housing resources , the event aimed to provide individuals and families with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of homeownership. The goal was to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has a fair opportunity to own a home and build generational wealth.

Promoting Financial Literacy Among Black Communities

Financial literacy was a major theme throughout the tour. Informative workshops, one-on-one counseling sessions, and networking opportunities were provided to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their finances effectively. The event facilitated access to a comprehensive list of local NAREB-affiliated boards across 100 cities, creating a support network that extends beyond the event itself.

Driving Positive Change

The tour was not just about providing education and resources; it was about driving positive change within the communities served. By addressing systemic issues and empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to succeed, the event aimed to create a ripple effect that will benefit future generations. The collaborative efforts of various organizations and community leaders played a crucial role in making this possible.

The event's success highlights the collective efforts of all involved to promote equity and opportunity for all. Next, let us summarize the key takeaways of an empowering day.

Key Takeaways of an Empowering Day

The 100 City Community Day Tour 2024 offered numerous insights and takeaways. Here are some of the most important lessons imparted during the event:

1. Financial Literacy Matters

Understanding how to manage money is crucial for long-term financial stability. Workshops on budgeting, saving, and investing provided participants with practical skills they can apply in their daily lives. Financial literacy is the foundation upon which economic success is built, and the event emphasized its importance in achieving financial independence.

2. Housing Counseling is Key

Navigating the homebuying process can be challenging, especially for first-time buyers. The event offered guidance on every aspect of purchasing a home, from securing a mortgage to understanding the responsibilities of homeownership. Personalized counseling sessions ensured that each participant received the support they needed to make informed decisions.

3. The Importance of Community Support

Building a strong support network is essential for achieving long-term success. Through partnerships with local NAREB boards and other community organizations, the event aimed to create a network of resources that participants can rely on even after the event. This community support is vital for sustaining the positive changes initiated during the tour.

4. Access to Resources is Crucial

Access to financial and housing resources can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families. The tour provided information on various assistance programs, including down payment assistance, foreclosure prevention, and rental housing education. By connecting participants with these resources, the event helped them overcome barriers to homeownership and financial stability.

5. Empowerment Through Education

Education is a powerful tool for empowerment. The educational sessions covered a wide range of topics, from financial management to real estate investing. By providing participants with the knowledge they need to succeed, the event empowered them to take control of their financial futures and make informed decisions.

6. The Role of Advocacy

Advocacy plays a crucial role in addressing systemic issues and promoting equality. The event highlighted the importance of advocating for fair housing practices and policies that support minority communities. By raising awareness and encouraging community involvement, the tour aimed to drive lasting change.

7. The Impact of Personalized Counseling

Personalized counseling can make a significant difference in an individual's journey toward homeownership and financial stability. One-on-one sessions provided tailored advice and support, helping participants navigate their unique challenges and achieve their goals.

8. Networking Opportunities

Networking is an essential component of success. The tour provided numerous opportunities for participants to connect with industry professionals, community leaders, and peers. These connections can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable support.

9. The Power of Collaboration

Collaboration is key to creating lasting change. By working together with NAREB and other partners, the tour leveraged collective resources and expertise to make a more significant impact. This collaborative approach ensures that complex issues facing communities are addressed more effectively.

10. Continued Support is Essential

The journey towards homeownership and financial stability doesn't end with the event. Continued support through various programs and services is essential to help individuals stay on track and achieve their long-term goals. Ongoing counseling, education, and resources were emphasized as vital components for sustained success.

Related: Housing Affordability Initiatives: 5 Positive Effects Individuals and Society

Wrapping Up

The 100 City Community Day Tour 2024 was an incredible opportunity for NID Housing Counseling Agency to extend our reach and impact. By participating in this nationwide initiative, we are taking a significant step towards addressing housing disparities, promoting financial literacy, and driving positive change within our communities.

NID Housing Counseling Agency is dedicated to providing HUD-Approved Housing Counseling services, including homebuyer education programs, reverse mortgage counseling and education, post-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, rental housing and financial management education, and more. Our mission is to ensure fair housing assistance for all, particularly in urban and minority communities across the USA.

We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you are looking to buy your first home, improve your financial literacy, or simply learn more about the resources available to you, we are here to help. 

Book a Free Consultation With Us

Get in touch with us at (510) 268-9792 or [email protected] . Together, we can build a brighter, more equitable future for all.

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Feds tour tribal reservation in Michigan, announce $150M for affordable housing

• Updated: May. 30, 2024, 8:04 a.m. |
• Published: May. 30, 2024, 7:58 a.m.

• Devin Anderson-Torrez | [email protected]

CALHOUN COUNTY, MI -- Federal officials visited a Michigan Native American reservation on Wednesday, May 29, to address a key issue for tribes across the nation — affordable housing.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spoke with tribal leaders and toured new housing at the Nottawaseppi Huron band of the Potawatomi tribe (NHBP) at the Pine Creek Indian Reservation.

The reservation is about 20 minutes south of Battle Creek.

HUD announced Wednesday its putting $150 million toward affordable housing for tribal communities across the U.S., said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Richard Monocchio.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Richard Monocchio, Chief Planning Officer Dan Green and Hud Area Administrator Neil Whitegull talk as they tour new housing at the Nottawaseppi Huron band of the Potawatomi tribe (NHBP) at the Pine Creek Indian Reservation on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

The money will be given out through a competitive grant process, called the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program.

Through grants like this, tribes can fund housing developments and related projects.

“There is a commitment HUD has to Native American tribes, whether they’re big or small, and (we’re) hoping to deliver on that promise,” said Neil Whitegull, Area Administrator for HUD’s Eastern Woodlands Office, said.

Since 1997, the local tribe has been able to build 37 rental homes with help from the Native American Housing and Self Determination Act.

With its most recent grant in 2021, the tribe is constructing a 17-home subdivision on 80 acres of land about a mile from the reservation. It already has four homes built and four with construction planned to start in July.

The grant also helped pay for a community center and health clinic.

The tribe plans to leaves 40% of their 200 acres undeveloped for the growth and prosperity of the wetlands.

NHBP normally receives about $400,000 in funding each year, but it’s receiving close to $1 million in 2024, said Dorie Rios, NHBP Tribal Council Chairperson.

“We’ve been afforded with so many funding opportunities with HUD ... It has provided construction jobs, a multitude of housing programs thanks to our amazing staff here that have carried out the vision of our ancestors and tribal leaders.” Rios said. “So we are beyond blessed.

“I strongly believe that our ancestors are sitting here with us and celebrating.”

NHBP Tribal Council Chairperson Dorie Rios addresses officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before they toured new housing at the Nottawaseppi Huron band of the Potawatomi tribe (NHBP) at the Pine Creek Indian Reservation on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

The $150 million in grant money will be given on top of the Biden-Harris Administration May 15 declaration of $1.1 billion in funding for Native American housing grants.

“We know there is a shortage nationally and a shortage in Indian Country ... (we’re) making sure that tribal entities and tribes are guaranteed access to some of these funds,” Monocchio said.

There’s a 68,000-unit housing shortage in Indian Country, according to a 2016 report commissioned by Congress. In Michigan, the shortage was 9,500 units, including 520 at the Pine Creek Indian Reservation alone.

Whitegull, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Central Wisconsin, said the grants will benefit tribes large and small.

“It shows other tribes that you can apply for these grants and get it,” Whitegull said. “It’s not just for these big tribes you hear about like out west ... these big ‘name brand’ tribes. ... Little tribes of the mountains can compete and have the capacity to dial and write the grant.”

To apply for the grant, tribes can visit grants.gov .

“I really encourage people to apply because we’re able to fund a good percentage of the applicants,” Monocchio said.

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Their landlord hiked their rent by 25%, so they applied for the NYC housing lottery. On the 25th try, luck was on their side.

• A millennial couple won the New York City affordable-housing lottery after applying about 25 times.
• Brynne McManimie, 35, and Peter Romano, 34, now live in a $2,800-a-month apartment in Brooklyn.
• "It was unusually fast. I don't think that's the case for most people, but we got very lucky," McManimie told BI.

In 2021, Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn . Due to the pandemic, they had gotten a good deal on their lease and paid $2,600 in rent each month. But that didn't last long.

"After a year, our landlord raised our rent by like 25% and it made us very nervous about staying in that apartment," McManimie, an actor and teacher, told Business Insider. Their new rent was $3,300 a month.

"That's when we were like, 'OK, let's just try the housing lottery,'" McManimie added.

For Romano, a New Yorker, and McManimie, a West Coast transplant who has been living in New York for 13 years, the affordable-housing lottery was one of those things they had always heard about.

"It's one of those things that was always talked about in our circle of friends because, as artists, there's also artist housing in New York and we know many people who have lived in those," McManimie said.

The decision to apply for the affordable-housing lottery was also sparked by their desire not to give up some of the perks they were already used to in Greenpoint — such as having a washer and dryer in their unit.

"A lot of these new buildings with the housing lottery are nice and have a lot of good amenities, but they're a lot more affordable and in our price range," McManimie said. "So that prompted us to go for it."

A pipe dream for most

The affordable-housing lotteries are run by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, or HPD, and the Housing Development Corporation.

Although applying is free, each household must meet specific income requirements to qualify for a lottery apartment. These vary across developments depending on unit size and location.

But winning the housing lottery is a pipe dream for most applicants: In 2018, The New York Times reported that the odds of winning were 1 in 592 .

But luck was on the couple's side.

"This actually happened very fast for us," McManimie, 35, said. "I think we applied to this building in April 2023. We were contacted in May to submit documents but didn't hear from them until September."

By early October, they had already signed the lease and moved in.

"It was unusually fast. I don't think that's the case for most people, but we got very lucky," McManimie said, adding that they had applied to about 25 different buildings.

$2,800 a month

The couple's one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Clinton Hill came with a balcony. It's a corner unit, so they have neighbors on only one side.

According to the latest May data from RentHop.com, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Clinton Hill is $3,750.

"It's definitely smaller than our old apartment," McManimie said. "The kitchen and the living room are all one big room, but everything is brand new. We're the first people to live in this unit."

It also had all the amenities they wanted: a dishwasher, a washer-dryer, central AC, and heating.

The couple signed a two-year lease on the apartment and now pay $2,800 monthly rent.

Related stories

"Since it's rent-stabilized , they can't raise it like a ton," Romano, an actor and professor, told BI. "Which is honestly really attractive to us, given what happened with our last landlord."

Every year, the Rent Guidelines Board decides the percentages by which landlords can legally increase rents for rent-stabilized apartments. In 2023, the board voted to raise rents on one-year leases by 3%, and on two-year leases by 2.75% for the first year and 3.2% for the second year, per The New York Times .

The day they moved in, it felt like a weight off their shoulders.

"I felt relieved, honestly," Romano, 34, added. "Our financial situation — with this rent amount — was going to feel very good. And I remember when we sat down on the couch after the day, it was like, 'Okay, I can breathe a little bit.'"

McManimie felt the same.

"I was a little nervous about downsizing even more. But after a couple of days, I didn't really notice," McManimie said. "Our building has a rooftop deck; we have a lounge upstairs to work in with a beautiful view of the city. We have a gym and a giant lobby."

Although the apartment is small — about 550 square feet — it still feels like they have a lot of space, she added.

A work in progress

Design-wise, the couple's apartment is bright and colorful with midcentury influences.

McManimie is behind the decor, while Romano is the one who's responsible for building their furniture.

"Since our space is so small, we looked for furniture with storage. Our coffee table, one of our stools, and our bed has additional storage," McManimie said. "We also store things under our couch and above our cabinets."

Other furniture pieces are from a vacation home they previously owned in Poconos with McManimie's father.

"We sold it before we even applied for this apartment since it made us a little ineligible for a while," Romano said. Those applying for rental units through the housing lottery aren't allowed to own residential property in or within 100 miles of New York City limits.

Although they were sad to see it go, it's been nice not to have to manage a property, McManimie added: "I think people don't always realize how hard it is to be a homeowner."

Even now, they aren't done decorating their apartment .

"Our bedroom is definitely still a work in progress," McManimie said, adding that she's looking for an antique mirror for the space. She also shared that she has an antique desk in storage that she's planning to use as a vanity.

A 'life-changing' opportunity

Their biggest tip for anyone who wants to apply for the housing lottery is to have all the financial paperwork on hand during the application process.

"Your tax returns, your pay stubs — they asked for all of that information in quite a quick amount of time to turn around," Romano said.

There's also no point in applying for apartments that fall outside your income range since "they're going to weed you out immediately," McManimie said.

Applying for the housing lottery requires a lot of paperwork and many people end up unsuccessful in their bids, but it's still worth a shot, she added.

"If you're unhappy with your situation or your rent is too high , you might as well try," McManimie said. "You have to decide what your priorities are."

Ultimately, the apartment situation worked ouy well for them, she added.

"We're really happy and very thankful that New York City has an affordable housing lottery. It's definitely been life-changing," she said.

Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, get in touch with me at  [email protected] .

Watch: Was Italy's $1 home scheme worth it?

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