CLEARWATER — Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside will receive $1 million in the new state budget to expand affordable homeownership in Hernando County, double the amount the nonprofit originally sought, the organization announced June 29.
The money will help build 28 single-family homes in partnership with Hernando County government. The appropriation grew from the $500,000 the group requested during the legislative session.
“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 Gov. DeSantis, Sen. Hooper, Sen. Massullo, Rep. Anderson and our local delegation for their commitment to expanding access to affordable homeownership.”
The homes will be built on county-supported land and will serve families earning 30% to 80% of the area median income, marking the organization’s expansion into Hernando County. Through Habitat’s model, those families buy their homes using affordable mortgage structures meant to keep costs manageable while they build equity over time.
The announcement comes as Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside closed its fiscal year June 30, having completed 80 homes across its service area.
“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.”
Habitat said it will release construction timelines and details on the homeowner application process as the project advances.