Ten Families Will Celebrate New Townhomes in Habitat's Shell Dash Community in St. Pete

Habitat's Shell Dash Townhome Block Party is Wednesday, April 30th at 10:00 am. 

St. Petersburg, FL – On Wednesday, April 30th, ten families will earn the keys to their new townhomes at Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside's Shell Dash Community. The Block Party celebration will be at 10:00 am at 112016th St. South in St. Petersburg. Habitat broke ground on this affordable townhome development in December 2022. All ten families earn no more than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and will have a 0% interest home loan not exceeding $219,000. These families also completed the Habitat Homeownership Program which consists of 38 homebuyer education classes and putting in 350-450 sweat equity hours. 

Each of these townhome units is just under 1,300 square feet, features three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, two walk-in closets (upstairs), and includes a walkout porch, contemporary landscaping, large windows, and a chef-inspired kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steal appliances. 

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Shell Dash Townhome Block Party

When: Wednesday, April 30th

            10:00 am      

Where: 1120 16th St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Elected Officials Expected to Attend: 

• Ken Welch, Mayor of the City of St. Petersburg 
• René Flowers, Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners - District 7
• Gina Driscoll, St. Petersburg City Council - District 6
• Deborah Figgs-Sanders, St. Petersburg City Council - District 5

History of Shell Dash Development

This public-private partnership has allowed ten local families to anchor themselves in St. Petersburg and create lasting memories in a permanent residence. “This development is an example of inclusive progress and how public-private partnerships can move the needle to provide families with a hand up in the affordable housing crisis our community is facing”, said Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside

This development would not be possible without the efforts of DuCon Construction, the State of Florida, and the City of St. Petersburg. This development is also an example of inclusive progress and providing families with a hand up, not a hand out. The City of St. Pete donated the land for this project, as well as a land and construction subsidiary worth over $1 million, with money from South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) funding. 

"You're looking at ten families who have the opportunity of homeownership and that generational wealth-building that it creates," said Ken Welch, Mayor of St. Petersburg at the Shell Dash groundbreaking ceremony. "Our progress is inclusive and we can all move forward together with projects like this one with Habitat for Humanity." 

For more information about this Block Party or the development, please contact Morgan Mandelker at mmandelker@habitattbg.org.

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has served over 900 homeowner partners since 1985. The affiliate serves Pinellas, West Pasco, and Hernando Counties. Volunteers and future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold 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. For more information, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitattbg.org. 

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