Unisen Senior Living, located near the University of South Florida in Tampa, has served as a significant fixture in the community for decades, originally known as University Village. The facility has a long-standing history as a continuing care retirement community, offering residents a model in which they pay an up-front payment along with monthly fees, in exchange for a promise of lifelong care and support within the community. This model has historically attracted a wide range of residents, including retired local leaders, professionals, and academics, who have built strong bonds within the community’s walls.
After facing serious challenges under its former identity, including allegations of financial mismanagement and fraud, University Village ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2016. The property was subsequently acquired by new ownership, who invested $25 million in an effort to revitalize the campus. The remodeled apartments, villas, and shared spaces were part of a broader vision to reset the community and offer a renewed environment for current and future residents, under the new banner of Unisen Senior Living. Despite the investments and changes, many residents had already moved away following the disruption of the original bankruptcy, which left lasting effects on occupancy and the overall stability of the community.
Recent developments led to Unisen Senior Living once again filing for bankruptcy in April 2024. At the time of filing, only 106 of its 491 units remained occupied, a level deemed unsustainable for ongoing operations. The not-for-profit owner, Tampa Life Plan Village Inc., cited an inability to secure a senior living affiliation partner as a key factor in the decision to seek bankruptcy protection. Plans were announced to sell the facility, with intentions to repurpose the site for either general residential use or student housing, bringing an end to its time as a continuing care retirement community.
The closure and pending sale have deeply affected the remaining residents and staff, who are faced with the upheaval of relocating and the emotional impact of leaving a long-time home. Unisen Senior Living’s leadership expressed regret but highlighted their efforts to maintain transparency and provide support, including financial assistance for residents’ relocation. Unique in the history of such communities in Florida, this closure marks the first time a bankruptcy has forced all residents to move, compounding the distress for the aging population and their families. Unisen Senior Living stands as a reflection of both the potential and vulnerability of the continuing care model—its history encompassing both vibrant community life and profound challenges in sustaining that model over time.