Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties is proud to announce its rebranding to Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. This new name reflects the affiliate’s commitment to serving its recently expanded service area in Hernando County.
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a part of a global nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. An extensive name-change process must be conducted for an affiliate to change its localized name. Habitat International’s branding considerations include a three-pronged approach to ensure accuracy, clarity, and simplicity. After much deliberation, it was deemed that “Tampa Bay Gulfside” is a clearly defined geographic identifier, as the affiliate represents three of the four counties in the Tampa Bay MSA.
This rebranding comes at a pivotal time for the organization, which is recognized as the second largest based on its new home construction out of the US network of 1,100. In April, Habitat for Humanity International selected Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties to expand its service area to include Hernando County. Its 900th Home build was celebrated in the Greater Ridgecrest Community in Largo in June. Most recently, Pinellas County selected Habitat for Humanity as the top proposal for 62 lots designated for a mixed housing development in Lealman.
“Our new name not only reflects the expanded geographic reach but also underscores our commitment to transformative community development throughout the region,” explains Mike Sutton, president and CEO. Since its announcement of expansion in Hernando County, leadership has been diligently working to raise awareness of its services and create partnerships with community stakeholders. Habitat recently announced the hire of a new executive director, Whitney Dinu, to support efforts in the region.
“It’s an exciting time for Habitat for Humanity”, said Mike Sutton. “The most recent selection by Pinellas County for the Lealman Heights Development will allow over 60 families access to affordable homeownership in the community. In a time where too many of our neighbors are being priced out of the area they live, grow, and work in, homeownership helps anchor families to our region.”
The Lealman community is a focus area for Habitat for Humanity, with more than 60 homes built since the pandemic. The overall site plan for the Lealman Heights Development is designed to create a cohesive and sustainable community that addresses the area’s diverse housing needs. The plan includes the development of 31 single-family infill homes and 31 townhomes, arranged to increase land use while maintaining a balance between density and the surrounding lower-density neighborhood.
At a nearly $14M investment, the development will feature a mix of 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom units, ranging in square footage between 1,100 to 1,400 square feet, serving an estimated 204 individuals and children. The development will be executed in three phases, ensuring prompt development of vacant single-family parcels, while concurrent development activities will occur on the additional parcels. This comprehensive approach ensures that the Lealman Heights Development meets current housing demands and sets a standard for future developments in the region.
“The primary goal of this development is to address the growing need for affordable housing in the Lealman community.”, said Mike Sutton. “By providing high-quality, affordable homes, we aim to create stable communities, reduce housing insecurity, and promote economic mobility among residents. Additionally, we seek to empower residents through homeownership, providing them with the tools and support necessary to build generational wealth.”
Through this development and its multiple ongoing projects throughout the region, Habitat intends to significantly impact the local housing market, offering an alternative to high-cost rentals and creating opportunities for first-time homebuyers. These new safe and affordable homes will allow the county to retain and attract residents who are vitally needed in the workforce and increase the tax base. By focusing on affordability and quality, Habitat aims to set a new standard for housing developments in the region, demonstrating the potential for sustainable and community-oriented growth