Pinellas County Moves Forward with Habitat for Humanity on Two Future Affordable Housing Communities
Over 80 New Affordable Homes Planned in Clearwater and Lealman
Clearwater, FL – On Tuesday afternoon, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved funding for two major Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside developments. These developments—one in Clearwater and the other in Lealman—will bring new homes to families in need, backed by $3 million in funding from Penny for Pinellas.
What is now an empty 1.35-acre lot in Clearwater will soon become a thriving neighborhood called Lake Belleview (rendering above). Thanks to a partnership between Habitat and Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services (TBNHS), 24 townhomes will rise on land donated by the City of Clearwater. With $1.015 million in county funding and a total cost of $9.58 million, 24 families will have the opportunity to becomes homeowners.
Just south of Pinellas Park, an underutilized 5.94-acre parcel in Lealman is set to become a vibrant residential community (rendering above with single-family homes and townhome community in yellow). The county has approved negotiations for Habitat to acquire the land, currently owned by the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County (HFA). Habitat’s plans include 57 new affordable housing units—31 single-family homes ranging from two to four bedrooms and 26 townhomes. The county is supporting this effort with $2.29 million in funding, helping bring the $10.13 million development to life.
“Habitat has built nearly 950 homes in our community because of these type of partnerships with county and city governments,” said Mike Sutton, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. “We are grateful to Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater for their continued support of our mission. These developments will place over 80 families in safe, secure, affordable homes. It takes all of us to make affordable homeownership a reality for hardworking families in our service area.”
These two affordable housing communities are part of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s broader mission to provide safe, stable housing across Pinellas, West Pasco, and Hernando Counties. With 11 developments currently in progress from St. Pete to Spring Hill, Habitat is working to build approximately 320 new affordable homes.
Each Habitat home is purchased by a partner family that has completed the Habitat homeownership program. This consists of 38 homebuyer education classes and 350-450 sweat equity hours. Each home is sold with a 0% interest mortgage to ensure affordability throughout the life of the loan.
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. In 2025, Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside celebrates 40 years of impact and will dedicate its 1,000th home this summer. 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.
