Community Assets and Needs Assessment of Greater Sun City Center, fl area

 

Community Assets and Needs Assessment of  

Greater Sun City Center, FL Area 

 

Prepared on Behalf of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay,  

South Shore Council

 

 

A Report to the Community  

January 2017 

 

 

 

                    

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Assets and Needs Assessment for 

the Sun City Center area, FL 

 

Prepared on Behalf of the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, 

South Shore Council 

 

A Report to the Community 

 

January 2017 

 

 

Robin Ersing, PhD 

Research Lead 

USF School of Public Affairs 

 

 

 

 

Angela Crist, MPA  

Project Director 

Director, USF Florida Institute of 

Government 

 

 

 

Robyn Odegard, MA 

Project Manager  

USF Florida Institute of Government 

 

 

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 2 

Introduction and History 

The USF Florida Institute of Government in partnership with USF Professor, Robin Ersing, PhD 

were contracted to plan, implement and report on a community engaged Assets and Needs 

Assessment (ANA) centered on the Sun City Center, FL area on behalf of the Community 

Foundation of Tampa Bay (CFTB), South Shore Council.  The overarching purpose of this 

project was to assist the Foundation with an intentional approach to address the most 

pressing needs in the community being served.  This 

Report to the Community

 provides an 

overview of the project methodology and the key findings and recommendations based on 

the views of project participants.   

 

The Community Foundation has invested significant resources in the Sun City Center area 

since its inception in 1990. The following assessment of the needs of Sun City Center 

residents will allow the CFTB to build on its work in the community and strengthen its 

philanthropic impact to support residents’ basic needs. 

 

 

Methodology 

This mixed methods study uses a Building Community Capacity (BCC) assessment model 

with three data components: community indicators, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups.  

A community based participatory research philosophy engaged all segments of the target 

community.   

 

 

 

Community Profile   

Indicator data gathered as a baseline using the 2010 U.S. Decennial Census and Hillsborough 

County Community Atlas.   

 

 

Stakeholder Interviews 

Interviews with 12 individuals having direct knowledge of governance, leadership, service 

provision and volunteerism in the Sun City Center Area. 

 

 

Focus Groups 

Focus groups organized with 8-10 individuals representing a diverse cross-section of 12 

groups.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 3 

Key Findings

 

Overall, participants in this project reconfirmed that the quality of life in the Sun City Center 

area remains strong and continues to attract new residents.  Indeed, while this influx of a 

“new” or “younger” generation may pose some challenges as values and social cultures mix, 

in the long run, the ideas and renewed energy may help to promote a vibrancy not found in 

other communities.  Likewise, participants were candid in identifying both assets and 

challenges that exist in the current community environment.  It is to be expected that issues 

of health and financial stability rate among the top obstacles faced by an aging population.  

Despite this, the leadership of the SCC area seems well positioned to work both within and 

outside the community to advocate for innovative approaches that directly benefit the 

resident members. Another area of high concern involves the changing landscape outside the 

perimeter of the Sun City Center area.  The rapid growth of surrounding communities, 

particularly to the east (Ruskin) and west (Wimauma), pose some serious issues that are 

already being felt by local residents who noted the impact to their quality of life.  In another 

vein, participants pointed out the strongest asset found in the Sun City Center area is the 

residents.  Therefore, it is no surprise that the level of community volunteerism is seen as a 

highly valued resource.     

 

The following list, in no particular order, reflects an analysis of the Stakeholder interview data 

and Focus Group data collected for this project, along with observations throughout the 

process.  In addition to community member experiences and suggestions offered throughout 

the report, these items reflect a comprehensive integration of findings.  These items may be 

considered for the development of policies, practices, or programs to further enhance quality 

of life in the Sun City Center area.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 4 

Community Health 

 

While the vulnerabilities of aging remain a shared concern in the Sun City Center area, 

endless examples were provided of the assets found in the local community to help people 

transition through the aging process, including advancing levels of health care.  The theme of 

health and wellness addressed the importance of changing lifestyles across generations and 

the need to keep up with transitioning trends.  A decrease in golf, but an increase in running, 

nature walks, archery, pickle ball, etc. should be noted. The addition of a weight room and 

workout facility are considered as assets and positive investments to the community.  An 

important question in this community is how the golf courses that attracted earlier 

generations to the area become a “renewed” asset to support the quality of life that reflects 

the desires of the current generations in the SCC area. 

 

Adult Day Care 

 

Issues of health and wellness are not isolated to one’s self, but also have a vicarious impact on 

significant others.  A clear need was expressed to establish an Adult Day Care facility to 

support caregivers.  Such a facility would include respite services along with programs and 

activities suitable to those residents who might otherwise become “shut-in” or isolated from 

the larger community.  Particular emphasis should center on the social and physical 

engagement aspects of respite care.  

 

Nutritional Wellness 

 

Declining health, whether physical or cognitive, also places individuals and their partners at 

risk for experiencing conditions of homelessness and hunger.  Longevity and increased health 

care costs strain finances leaving some to make difficult choices between paying the 

mortgage and buying nutritious food.  This issue of hunger and nutritional wellbeing was 

identified as a growing concern in the SCC area.  The extent of this condition was debated 

since it manifests as a “hidden” problem, generally out of sight to the general community.  

However usage rates of local food pantries suggests they are serving a growing need in the 

area.  It is less clear exactly how many of those served are residents of Sun City Center and 

Kings Point.  Anecdotal information does point to a sub-population that seeks out assistance 

with food.  However, two other identified assets – Meals on Wheels and the Emergency Squad 

– offer hard evidence that a segment of the population in the SCC area are in need of food or 

other nutritional assistance.  The latter relates to delivery of meals that are being shared to 

stretch through weekends when the service is not provided, or meals being neglected 

perhaps due to dementia or other health conditions.  It may be helpful to augment the Meals 

on Wheels service through the food pantries, churches, and clubs to extend meal delivery or 

provide bagged food.  An important issue is that of pride and not wanting to be stigmatized 

as having to ask for help.  This might be overcome with a service that is more of a “friendly 

visitor” who could provide an overall wellness check-in and bring along nutritional items to 

share.  This might be viewed more as a gift than a handout. 

 

Planning to Stay 

 

The inter-related theme of homelessness, longevity of the SCC area population and 

maintaining financial stability clearly emerged as a concern.  Along with the challenge of 

individuals outliving their finances, is the threat of losing a spouse and any income or financial 

assets that might also be lost as a result.  Such scenarios were noted during the assessment 

with examples of people losing their homes due to the inability to pay a mortgage, keep up 

with association fees, or the inability to cover the costs for housing maintenance.  It is clear 

that the Community Association has been able to find ways to assist those in need if they are 

unable to pay association fees.  It is less clear if this is also the case for those living in Kings 

Point where homeowner association fees are significantly higher. It may be helpful to identify 

a service that would intervene early and assist residents with “planning to stay” services that 

would account for what might happen in these situations. 

 

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 5 

Case Management 

 

Agreement exists as to the accumulation of resources available to assist residents in the SCC 

area, however, there are situations that might prevent someone was accessing services or 

understanding how to best navigate systems of care.  A clear theme was to consider 

developing a “case management” service that could follow up on reported needs or wellness 

checks when someone is concerned about a neighbor, friend or member of a volunteer group.  

Such a service would provide a resource for the Emergency Squad, Security Patrol, Faith 

groups, clubs, etc.)o register a non-emergency concern for someone’s wellbeing.  Such a 

service might include being able to follow up when someone is discharged from a hospital or 

has a chronic health condition, particularly when they live alone or the partner has issues of 

dementia or a chronic health issue that prevents them from taking on this role.  A case 

manager could also assist in organizing in-home services, arranging transportation 

(particularly to/from hospital or physician visits), and encouraging continued socialization 

within the broader community.  This is an example of a service that might be staffed by a 

volunteer core, or by social work students through a stipend-based internship.   

 

 

 

Security Patrol and Rescue Squad 

 

Feeling safe and secure was cited among the top reasons for choosing to live in the Sun City 

Center area.  Both services are recognized as highly significant to the quality of life in the Sun 

City Center area and should be maintained and strengthened through continued volunteer 

support to the extent possible.  A decline in the number of volunteers for these services has 

been noted by the community as some service provision has been reduced.  There should 

also continue to be coordination and communication with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s 

Department and Fire Rescue.  This is believed by many to be a strong positive relationship 

between the local community and County.  This includes the presence of the assigned law 

enforcement deputy. 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 6 

One-Stop Shop

 

 

While the Sun City Center area is fortunate to have an abundance of resources to support a 

comfortable lifestyle for residents, it can be a challenge to keep up with this information.  

Some of the feedback from the Chamber of Commerce suggests that people turn to them 

because they do not know where else to go to get questions answered about happenings in 

the community.  Consider creating a “one-stop shop” that would become a hub for 

identifying all services available in the area, and maintain an up to date directory of providers 

and services across a range of categories.  This service could have a face-to-face presence 

along with an online searchable website, and a dedicated phone line.  The one-stop shop 

might also serve as a centralized source for marketing and mass communication within the 

community.  Posters, flyers, mass mailings, tweets and email blasts from a central entity might 

address some of the communication concerns using multiple modalities to reach across 

generations and resolve issues of how the community gets its’ information.  An interesting 

generational culture shift was noted during focus groups between those who still get their 

local news from a printed paper, and those who turn to alternative sources such as the 

internet to browse multiple sources where information is exchanged.  The one-stop-shop 

might also be an IT resource to help organize websites for clubs, and assist those groups that 

would like to set up Facebook or Pinterest, etc. accounts for their clubs and activities.  This 

might begin with the existing volunteer talent in the SCC area.   

 

Strategic Institutional Partnerships 

 

Consider building “strategic institutional partnerships”. Some of the recommendations offered 

in this report might come to fruition or have an initial launch by partnering with sources such 

as the University of South Florida (USF), Hillsborough Community College (HCC), and other 

local institutions that offer internship experiences to their students/members.  Feedback 

indicates that USF Health is involved in memory testing and perhaps other activities that 

serve the SCC area, which is encouraging to think about tapping into disciplinary areas such 

as Social Work, Mass Communication, Computer Science, Engineering, Public Administration, 

Urban and Regional Planning, Health Sciences, Aging Studies, Psychology, etc. Institutions of 

higher education are looking for internship opportunities so students obtain real world 

experience as part of their degree program.  The SCC area would need to consider 

developing a fund to offer stipends for paid internships and provide experienced individuals 

to mentor students.  The talent pool within SCC can easily accommodate the latter.  

 

Grant Funding 

 

Throughout the project multiple comments were shared by community members regarding 

grant writing support.  This suggests community members are not only hopeful for grant 

writing resources, but that they believe there will be grant funding available as a result of this 

study.  It was our intent to assist the CFTB in their efforts to engage residents of the SCC area 

in determining both the assets available and the challenges confronting the community.  This 

information will be useful as a strategic planning tool as decisions are made in the allocation 

of grant funds to further enhance the quality of life in the community.  

 

CFTB Messaging 

 

During the course of the project, feedback from the SCC community suggested a level of 

disconnect between residents and the CFTB.  This was apparent during the open Community 

Orientation meeting.  Indeed we found through this study that the South Shore Council 

appears readily engaged within the SCC community.  This might be an opportunity for the 

CFTB to do some key messaging to the community about the organization including their 

leadership structure, mission, goals, and why they remain focused on the SCC area.  As a new 

generation of residents emerges, this messaging may be helpful in establishing or 

strengthening a collaborative relationship.   

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 7 

Community Capacity 

 

Clearly the overarching asset found in the Sun City Center area is the residents.  This project 

illustrates the abundance of knowledge, talent and experience that exists among the 

individuals living in this community.  The overwhelming resource mentioned throughout the 

assessment was the outstanding level of volunteerism.  This commitment is responsible for 

providing auxiliary services to enhance public safety (e.g. emergency squad, security patrol); 

provide social, recreational and cultural outlets; and address issues stemming from the 

vulnerabilities of aging (e.g. food assistance, lifeline service).  The challenge moving forward 

will be to determine whether the level of capacity for volunteering continues to meet the 

needs of the community.  Reports of a noticeable decline in the level of volunteerism, 

particularly among the “new young generation” of residents, is causing concern for what this 

will mean for the quality of life that makes the Sun City Center area a topic choice as a 

retirement community.  For example, the volunteer emergency squad has had to reduce the 

number of response vehicles available and is stretched to provide continuous coverage 24/7.  

The generation 55-70 years of age pointed to a changing societal culture of work/life 

balance, noting that a growing number of SCCA residents continue to be engaged in the 

workplace (including work from home), and are limited in how they choose to spend their 

free time.  It is less a matter of not wanting to engage with the community, and more a matter 

of how best to allocate their time. As one community member noted, this retirement 

community has always prided itself on the spirit of volunteerism and giving back for the 

betterment of others.  Some have suggested transitioning some traditionally volunteer 

services to paid positions.  Another thought is to consider linkages through internships 

(perhaps with a stipend attached), with institutions such as universities and/or vocational 

schools.  An example might be funding a few stipends for student internships in the health 

science or social work disciplines.  This could be an innovative venture and offer opportunities 

for mentorship among local residents.    

 

 

 

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 8 

 

 

 

Regional Growth 

 

The axiom “change is the only constant in life”, seems suited to the current state of affairs in 

the SCC area, as pointed out by project participants. It was stated several times that for quite 

some time, the Sun City Center area existed as an island, protected from intrusions found in 

most other communities.  That is no longer the case as the SCC area witnesses the fast paced 

growth and development of adjacent communities in Ruskin and Wimauma.  The irony is that 

while the surrounding areas expand, the SCC area is reaching its capacity for new housing 

and development.  Indeed, participants reported experiencing an increased flow of people 

and vehicles pass through the perimeter that defines the area.  In some cases this influx of 

structural growth has resulted in new business opportunities that are mutually beneficial such 

as a Wal-mart and WaWa.  However, this regional growth has also resulted in concerns of 

increased traffic congestion (particularly on State Road 674), an influx of non-residents using 

local resources, and threats to public safety.  The latter is especially a risk for the golf-cart 

lifestyle which continues to be an asset for many in the SCC community.  An important 

challenge for leaders and residents in the SCC area will be finding a way to harness the 

benefits of regional growth, perhaps through new business ventures such as restaurants, 

entertainment and cultural amenities, while maintaining the quality of life features that attract 

people to reside in this retirement setting.  Regional growth can be a double-edged sword.  It 

will be important for community stakeholders, association leaders, and local institutions to 

take a proactive stance and determine a strategic vision for planned development so 

effective advocacy efforts with elected officials can be successful in maintaining the kind of 

life style offered in the Sun City Center area.   

 

Basic Human Needs Study of Sun City Center Area Report to the 

Community 

 

 9 

Conclusion 

The USF Florida Institute of Government was contracted through the CFTB, South Shore 

Council to implement a community capacity building model to engage local residents and 

affiliates to assess community assets and needs in the Sun City Center area.  Through 

Stakeholder interviews and Focus Groups, community members provided their views and 

experiences relevant to the quality of life in the SCC area.  We offer this 

Report to the 

Community 

as documentation of the assets, needs, challenges and opportunities as identified 

by the community.  The comments shared struck us as genuine, realistic, and concerned for 

the future of the SCC area.  We hope that this information will be used as one resource to 

guide the CFTB in their efforts to work collaboratively with SCC area leaders to enhance the 

quality of life in this vibrant community.  This report includes what stakeholders and 

community members believe are the most pressing issues the community will face over the 

next five years.   

 

There was much common ground around the assets in the community that make the SCC 

area an exceptional place to live and recreate.  The pulse of this community clearly is the 

belief in volunteerism.  This unique quality offers a multitude of creative outlets to engage 

nearly every interest, thus encouraging engagement and socialization across generations.  

While generational changes have always been a component in the SCC area with WWII and 

Baby Boomers being the two most prominent groups, the influx of what is referred to as the 

“younger” generation has posed some concern.  A decline in volunteer participation has 

important implications for how this community functions, but hopefully, this trend might even 

out over time as the younger generation settles in.  It is important to note however, that this 

generation does not just bring with them different tastes in music and interests, but also serve 

as the leading edge of a cultural shift, bringing with them the latest technology and changing 

values in our society.  This too, has implications for how the community communicates, 

recreates, and plans for the future.  Such changing cultural trends are evident across the 

nation, as we see a reduced reliance on things like libraries and retail shopping outlets, as well 

as how we engage with the health care system and advances in medicine (e.g. digital medical 

records, remote services, and life sustaining treatments).  The fast pace of technology will 

most certainly influence the way the SCC area evolves in the next five years. 

 

Moving Forward 

 

As a leader and convener, CFTB will utilize this Report to the Community as a foundation of 

future philanthropic strategy. The above findings will guide investments of CFTB and its 

donors, inform the Sun City Center community and the organizations serving its residents, 

and help craft a prosperous and sustainable future for the surrounding region. The 

information and recommendations contained within this report are intended for public 

consumption and wide dissemination. 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by: 

The Florida Institute of Government  

at the University of South Florida 

4202 East Fowler Ave, SOC 007 

Tampa, FL 33620 

Ph: [phone] 

fiog.usf.edu 

On behalf of: 

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay 

550 North Reo St, Suite 301 

Tampa, FL 33609 

Ph: [phone] 

cftampabay.org 

 

 

 

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Document Outline

• CFTB Community Report Draft_Vert_Graphic.pdf
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  • CFTB Community Report Draft PDF.pdf
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