ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg realty group is taking a hands-on approach to revitalizing South St. Pete while helping more residents become homeowners.

What You Need To Know

Mo & Sam Franklin of Franklin & Associates Realty combine ministry and real estate to expand homeownership in South St. Pete

The Franklins plan to welcome first-time buyers into The Deuces Rising Townhomes, a 24-unit affordable housing development on 22nd Street South.

Their third annual “No Place Like Home” event will be held at St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Campus on Jan. 31st

More than 300 people have attended “No Place Like Home” over the past two years, seeking guidance on credit, mortgages and affordable housing options

Pastors Mo and Samantha “Sam” Franklin are working to turn longstanding community ties into new opportunities for local families.

Whether through faith or financial education, the Franklins say their mission is the same: to build up South St. Pete.

Bishop Mo Franklin was ordained in 2004 — the same year he earned his real estate license. Pastor Sam Franklin followed soon after, and together they founded Franklin & Associates Realty.

“We have been involved in ministry and real estate kind of from the beginning,” Bishop Franklin said. “And so even though we sell real estate, obviously you carry the heart of the pastor and the first lady as you do it. So it kind of has really steered us towards those who are in need most being first-time homebuyers.”

The couple says expanding homeownership in South St. Pete is deeply personal — especially in The Deuces Live District, a historic hub of the city’s Black community where Samantha Franklin grew up.

“We want to see the people really, you know, become homeowners in the areas that they’ve grown up in,” she said. “So, you know, this is a real blessing for us, really.”

In addition to real estate development, the Franklins host an annual community event aimed at helping residents navigate the homebuying process.

Their third annual “No Place Like Home” event will be held at St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Campus. More than 300 people have attended over the past two years, seeking guidance on credit, mortgages and affordable housing options.

“In the last three years we’ve seen it fluctuate,” Samantha Franklin said of the housing market and need for affordable housing.

Bishop Franklin says economic shifts often hit low- and moderate-income communities first, making the path to homeownership more difficult.

“We’ve seen quite a change over the last few years,” he said. “You know, three years ago you had low interest rates in the twos and 3%, and now interest rates are at 6%.”

This spring, the Franklins plan to welcome first-time buyers into The Deuces Rising Townhomes, a 24-unit affordable housing development on 22nd Street South.

The project received a $19 million contribution from the St. Petersburg City Council.