Clearwater, FL – As National Homeownership Month comes to a close, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside announced today that a $1 million appropriation in the State of Florida’s budget will support the expansion of affordable homeownership opportunities in Hernando County through a partnership with Hernando County Government.
The funding will advance the development of 28 new single-family homes, creating opportunities for local families to achieve stability and long-term financial security through homeownership. The final allocation reflects an increase from the original $500,000 request submitted during the legislative session, underscoring growing support for affordable homeownership initiatives across the state.
“This investment strengthens our ability to deliver a permanent housing solution for families in Hernando County,” said Mike Sutton, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. “We are incredibly grateful to Governor DeSantis, Senator Hooper, Senator Masulo, Representative Anderson, and our local delegation for their commitment to expanding access to affordable homeownership.”
This announcement comes as Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside closes out its fiscal year on June 30, having completed 80 homes across its service area, further demonstrating the organization’s scale and impact in addressing the region’s housing needs.
“Closing out the year with 80 homes completed speaks to both the scale of the need and the strength of our model,” Sutton said. “Each home represents a family gaining stability and the opportunity to build long-term equity, and this momentum positions us to serve even more families in the year ahead.”
This effort represents a key step in Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside’s expansion into Hernando County and supports the organization’s broader strategy to address the region’s housing affordability challenges through sustainable, long-term solutions.
In partnership with Hernando County, the homes will be built on county-supported land and will serve families earning between 30 percent and 80 percent of the area median income. Through Habitat’s homeownership model, families purchase their homes using affordable mortgage structures designed to keep housing costs manageable while building equity over time.
Additional details regarding construction timelines and the homeowner application process will be announced as development milestones are reached.
