The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for two Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside affordable housing projects in Clearwater and Lealman.
In Clearwater, a 1.35-acre vacant lot will be transformed into a new neighborhood dubbed Lake Belleview. In partnership with Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services, the project will construct 24 townhomes for families. The development, which carries a total cost of $9.58 million, will receive $1.015 million in county funding as part of a $3 million allocation from Penny for Pinellas.
In Lealman, county officials approved negotiations for Habitat to acquire a 5.94-acre parcel from the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County. The planned development will include 57 affordable housing units—31 single-family homes and 26 townhomes—with a total project cost of $10.13 million and $2.29 million in county support.
Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sutton said the projects underscore the organization’s long-standing partnership with local governments. “Habitat has built nearly 950 homes in our community because of these types of partnerships,” Sutton said. “These projects will provide affordable housing options for more than 80 families.”
Under the nonprofit’s homeownership program, participating family’s complete homebuyer education courses and contribute sweat equity, before receiving homes financed with 0% interest mortgages.
The two developments are among 11 Habitat projects in Pinellas, West Pasco and Hernando Counties.
Earlier in February, the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners approved Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s plan to build about 30 affordable homes on a 9.5-acre lot at Miracle Drive and Century Drive, in Spring Hill.