Pinellas Elected Officials Give Back to Community with Habitat for Humanity

St. Petersburg, FL – On February 3rd, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will host a volunteer build day exclusively for local elected officials. Exhibiting that affordable housing is a nonpartisan issue; twenty five elected officials from across the county are volunteering at Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco 800th home build, located in Lealman. 

WHEN: February 3rd, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE: 2790 53rd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714
WHAT:  Elected Official Build Day 

The build day will be followed by an affordable housing discussion. Topics will include the multitude of diverse interventions, policy solutions and funding approaches to the affordable housing continuum.

Over the last 12 months, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco completed more new homes than any other affiliate in the country - earning a ranking of #1 producing affiliate in the network. This March, the affiliate will celebrate its 800th Home Milestone. On Friday, elected officials will meet the homeowner, Brianna Clayton and support her journey towards affordable homeownership by putting in sweat equity on her home.

Elected Officials confirmed to attend are as follows:  

•    Florida Representative Linda Chaney 
•    Florida Representative Lindsay Cross 
•    Clearwater Mayor Drank Hibbard
•    Clearwater Council Member Kathleen Beckman 
•    Tarpon Springs Vice Mayor Craig Lunt
•    Tarpon Springs Commissioner Panagiotis Koulias
•    Tarpon Springs Commissioner Mike Eisner
•    Dunedin City Commissioner Jeff Gow  
•    Gulfport City Commissioner Paul Ray
•    Gulfport City Commissioner April Thanos 
•    Largo Mayor Woody Brown
•    Largo Commissioner Eric Gerard
•    Largo Commissioner Jamie Robinson 
•    Largo Commissioner Donna Holk 
•    St. Pete Councilmember Ed Montanari 
•    St. Pete Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz
•    St. Pete Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders
•    Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub

•    Palm Harbor Fire Commissioner Casey Cane
•    Pinellas School Board Member Lisa Cane
•    Pinellas School Board Member Caprice Edmond 
•    Pinellas Board of County Commissioner Charlie Justice
•    Pinellas Board of County Commissioner Dave Eggers
•    Pinellas Board of County Commissioner Brian Scott
•    Pinellas Board of County Commissioner Chris Latvala
•    Pinellas Board of County Commissioner Janet Long

Advocacy is a key pillar for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco is making a further commitment and investment advocating for the advancement of affordable homeownership in our community. Through advocacy, Habitat seeks to influence policy and promote affordability among the broader housing continuum. To learn more, visit https://habitatpwp.org/advocate/. 

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has served nearly 800 homeowner partners since 1985. Over the last 12 months, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco completed more new homes than any other affiliate in the country - earning a ranking of #1 producing affiliate in the network. This March, the affiliate will celebrate its 800th Home Milestone.  Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the energy efficient homes, and candidates purchase the home with a 0% interest mortgage upon completing the program. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. Candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to complete a robust homebuyer education curriculum and invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours. Additionally, the affiliate raises funds through their ReStores; home improvement outlets where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org.