Pinellas School Teacher Achieves Dream of Homeownership

Clearwater, FL – Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will hold a special home dedication this Friday, September 1st, in Clearwater. Taisja Witherspoon, a teacher at Bayside High School in Clearwater, will earn the keys to her new Habitat home. She and her son, Xavier (3), will move into their new two-bed, two-bath home after completing the Habitat homeownership program, in which she completed at over 350 sweat equity hours and 32 homebuyer education classes. 

Taisja was accepted into the Habitat program on September 26, 2022. Less than a year later, she is ready to move into her new home, equipped with all the tools she will need to be a successful homeowner and a 0% interest mortgage. 

"Just to have a place to call my own and know that I am building generational wealth is so important,” said Taisja. “I want my children, and their children, to know that homeownership is attainable.”

The Sports Facilities Companies and Empower Adventures Tampa Bay sponsored the Witherspoon Family Home. 

Read More on The Witherspoon Family I B-ROLL for MEDIA USE

Media are invited to attend events. Please contact Morgan Brochetti for additional information at 727-536-4755 ext. 203.

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 over 830 homeowner partners since 1985. Volunteers and future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. Candidates must demonstrate the need for adequate shelter; the ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and the willingness to partner with Habitat to complete a robust homebuyer education curriculum and invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that homeownership contributes to family stability, leading, in turn, to community stability. 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 visitwww.habitatpwp.org.