Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will celebrate a huge milestone this August – its 700th home build. The Sakers family will be the 700th family to partner with Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco Counties and will celebrate at their home dedication on Monday, August 30, 2021 in Pinellas Park. Aurora will purchase her home with a zero-interest loan through the Habitat homeownership program.
700th Home Dedication: The Sakers Family
Monday, August 30th, 2021 at 9 AM
6290 67th Way North, Pinellas Park (Tellor Estates)
Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco has been a driving force and advocate for affordable homeownership opportunities in our community since 1985. Out of 1,100 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the country, the organization is ranked 2nd based on new home builds. It celebrated its 600th home in February of 2019 with the Gordon family in Ridgecrest, Largo.
With the construction of every new home, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco creates affordable homeownership opportunities for local families and individuals with the help of community volunteers, corporate donors, civic organizations and county officials.
As part of an ongoing effort to bring affordable homeownership opportunities to the area’s working-class neighborhoods, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco continues to work with the City of Pinellas Park and community partners to build homes in Tellor Estates, the affiliate’s largest development to date.
In June of 2018, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco acquired 7.3 acres located at the northeast corner of 68th Street and 62nd Avenue North in Pinellas Park for $2.1 million. The following summer, the affiliate commemorated the groundbreaking with elected officials, homeowners and supporters.
Mike Sutton, president and CEO of the affiliate explains, “Over the past two years, immense growth has taken place in Tellor Estates. At this time, we have completed 33 new homes and have 18 under construction and completed the construction of a new road. Upon completion, the neighborhood will offer 75 local families and individuals the opportunity to improve the paths of their family for generations to come.”
See the progress here: https://youtu.be/dM-TG2UlLzk
The 7.3 acre property also contains a number of residents living in mobile homes. Rather than displacing the homeowners, Habitat is providing them an opportunity to access the Habitat program or continue living on the property until they decide to move. Habitat Homeowner Candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter; have the ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and be willing to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours.
The 700th Home is sponsored by a collection of community partners and supporters, with sponsorship opportunities at $700 and $7,000 for individuals and businesses. Community support swelled around this initiative – over 100 local businesses and supporters donated at the $700 level. Milestone sponsor, Solar Bear, will be donating and installing a solar roofing system for the Sakers family. For more information, visit www.habitatpwp.org/700.
