Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside is heavily investing in Pinellas County.<\/p>\n
The organization closed on an 8-acre Largo property, located at 833 Wyatt St., in October. One hundred affordable townhomes will be built on the land.<\/p>\n
Habitat creates projects for individuals and families that earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income. The nonprofit sells these homes to qualified buyers, who pay a 0% APR mortgage (no interest).<\/p>\n
The site \u2014 once used by the First Assembly of God Church of Clearwater \u2014 was acquired for $4.75 million from the American Collegiate Academy.<\/p>\n
It is near Habitat\u2019s Longlake Preserve 54-unit townhome community, a five-phase project currently under construction (1756 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.). The fourth phase is scheduled to be completed in December.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of large parcels left in Pinellas County that are not developed,\u201d said Habitat president and CEO Mike Sutton. \u201cWhat was attractive about this site was that we would be able to build out a site plan to maximize density but also provide a nice, finished product.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the area is \u201cpretty heavy with rental.\u201d Since Habitat focuses only on home ownership, the opportunity to offer more housing units in Largo was a key factor in the acquisition.<\/p>\n
The organization plans to begin construction on the site in late 2026. Sutton said the project will likely be completed in five or six phases. The first phase should be done by early 2027.<\/p>\n
The homes will be approximately 1,500 square feet each.<\/p>\n
Habitat is currently selecting a design team for the project. and Sutton hopes to have a final candidate by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re consistently seeing families that are priced out of our community. They\u2019re paying an exorbitant amount of their monthly income towards rent and they\u2019re struggling to make ends meet,\u201d Sutton said.<\/p>\n
The project will give these families and individuals an opportunity to \u201canchor themselves in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n