The City of Tampa's Office of Housing and Community Development is located in the German American Club building, which had its cornerstone laid in 1908 on the corners of Nebraska and 11th Avenues.
The office is part of Tampa's Growth Management and Development Services Department. It administers housing programs that help lower income residents buy, rent or rehabilitate existing homes in the city limits. The programs use federal and state funds.
In addition, the office provides information on becoming a first time home buyer, avoiding foreclosures and credit counseling.
The historic building features the "Mothers of the World" sculpture that was erected in 1948 at the building's southwest corner. Along the wall of the main stairway is a marker from 1949, when the building was home to the Dixie Life and Health Insurance Company.
Led by Fire Chief Alex Onishenko, the Fire and Emergency Services Department responds to major and minor fires within New Port Richey's borders.
The firefighting division consists of 18 career firefighters, according to the department Web site. The department responded to 290 incidents of varied degrrees of severity in 2009, according to its Web site.
The department also provides inspections and fire prevention services. It has two stations in the city: one at 6333 Madison Street and another at 6121 High Street.
