Building hope: Habitat dedicates 1,000th home 

Habitat for Humanity affiliates build an average of four to five homes annually. The local organization recently set a new national record with 88 this year. 

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s community impact was on display Friday as the nonprofit, also celebrating its 40th anniversary, dedicated its 1,000th home to yet another single mother. Myriad elected officials celebrated the momentous milestone with the Copeland family in Lealman, an underserved and unincorporated city with a St. Petersburg address. 

The ceremony was also a reunion of sorts – an inaugural board member led the invocation, and several Habitat homeowners, community partners and stakeholders attended an event that required trolley service and closed streets. CEO Mike Sutton said the new benchmark “speaks volumes” about the community and “the people who wrap their arms around” the local affiliate. 

“It’s overwhelming when you really think about it,” Sutton told the Catalyst. “Every single one of them has their own unique story and how they got to Habitat. But to think about the trajectory of those families changing with just the opportunity is huge.” 

Rainy conditions did not deter a large crowd from attending the ceremony.

Statistics underscore Sutton and his team’s local impact. The affiliate had built 280 homes when he took the helm in 2014. 

Habitat has since provided 720 homeownership opportunities. Over the past seven years, approximately 500 residents who were previously struggling with soaring rents have received keys to a new home, an annual average of over 71.

“When I was hired, I was told two things: One, go build sustainability so the organization is around for the long term,” Sutton said. “Two, go build more homes. It’s really cool to reflect back on the last 11.5 years and think that we’ve built the majority of our homes during that time.” 

Mayor Ken Welch appreciates the affiliate’s efficiency, particularly as the area struggles to overcome an ongoing attainable housing crisis. “You see innovation from Tampa Bay Gulfside that you don’t see in other Habitat organizations,” he said after the event. 

Two in-progress Habitat projects in South St. Petersburg will provide nearly 100 affordable townhomes. “It’s making a big impact,” Welch added. “It’s a partnership that’s creating wealth in homeownership.” 

Welch noted the hundreds of homes built in the city, where the affiliate launched in 1985, have exponentially appreciated in value. “You can’t replicate that,” he said. 

Pinellas County has invested significant time and resources into uplifting Lealman in recent years. Habitat has been at the forefront of those efforts. 

The organization has built nearly 100 homes in the community. Sutton noted that “50 more are coming.” 

Former Commissioner Charlie Justice has long championed Habitat’s work in Lealman. He said the organization “saw the opportunities, they saw the need and they worked like crazy.” 

Justice credited the affiliate’s proficiency to Sutton and his team earning the trust of local governments, corporate partners and donors. “It wouldn’t have worked without all those people coming together,” he said. 

“I’m incredibly proud of my time on the commission, and the focus we put on meeting the needs,” Justice continued. “And affordable housing was a critical need. The fact that we were able to put the focus on Lealman … is something I’ll always be proud of.” 

Candidates for Habitat’s program earn between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Like the 999 people before her, Shauntee Copeland invested 350 to 450 hours of sweat equity and completed dozens of homebuyer education classes. 

She and her son, Xavier, now have stable housing and a 0% interest mortgage. The home is also energy efficient and sustainable, as Solar Bear installed rooftop solar panels. 

The Kids Pedal Power program provided a bicycle for Xavier, 12, and Feeding Tampa Bay stocked Copeland’s cupboard and refrigerator. Multiple other community partners offered gifts. 

Xavier (left) and Shauntee Copeland listen to Mayor Ken Welch address attendees.

Tony and Carol Griffith donated $50,000 to build the home. However, they were not the family’s only financial supporters. 

Over 80 people and organizations contributed at least $1,000 to Habitat’s 1,000th home. “The joy you see on the face of the families that are receiving these homes is absolutely precious,” said Commission Chair Brian Scott. 

“Homeownership shouldn’t require a miracle to make that happen,” he added. “But unfortunately, in today’s day and age, sometimes it does require a miracle. We are so fortunate to have great partners like Habitat for Humanity that work hard every day to make that miracle come true.” 

Copeland, a St. Petersburg native, is a certified nursing assistant and among the roughly 60% of Habitat homeowners who work in the healthcare industry. She also has two adult children and two grandchildren. 

“This journey has been nothing short of life-changing for both me and my family,” Copeland said. “To every person who donated to my home build, whether through time, resources or encouragement, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 

“You poured your energy into something that will forever impact my family’s life.”

The extended Copeland family.