Elected Officials Support Affordable Housing Efforts with Habitat for Humanity

Pinellas Park, FL – On October 29th, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will host a volunteer build day exclusively for local elected officials. Exhibiting that affordable housing is a nonpartisan issue; over twenty elected officials from across the county are volunteering to help build homes in Tellor Estates, and a better future for three Pinellas County families.

October 29th, 2021

10:00 AM – Event Opening & On-Site Volunteering

12:00 PM – Affordable Housing Discussion

Tellor Estates | 5337 67th Way N. Pinellas Park, FL.

The build day will be followed by an affordable housing discussion. Topics will include the multitude of diverse interventions, policy solutions and funding approaches to the affordable housing continuum. 

In the group of invited officials, Pinellas County School Board Member and Habitat Board Member, Caprice Edmond, is confirmed to join. “We know when a family has stable housing, their outcomes improve,” said Edmond. “When I heard about this opportunity to work alongside my fellow elected colleagues, I could not say yes quickly enough. I even publicly challenged others on social media to join me!”

Those who confirmed to volunteer were also asked to challenge others to join through a social media challenge. St. Petersburg Councilmember Brandi Gabbard challenged three other elected officials by stating, “It is critically important during a time when we have a housing crisis, that we come together to not only show our support for this organization, but to show our residents that we are serious about our efforts in increasing safe and sustainable housing across our region.” 

Elected Officials confirmed to attend are as follows: 

• Florida Representative Linda Chaney
• Florida Representative Michele Rayner
• Pinellas County Property Appraiser Mike Twitty 
• Clearwater Vice Mayor Hoyt Hamilton
• Clearwater Council Member Kathleen Beckman
• Clearwater Council Member David Albritton
• Dunedin Mayor Julie Bujalski 
• Dunedin Vice Mayor Jeff Gow 
• Gulfport City Council Paul Ray
• Indian Rocks Beach Mayor Cookie Kennedy 
• Largo Mayor Woody Brown
• Largo Commissioner Donna Holck
• Largo Commissioner Michael Smith
• Largo Commissioner Eric Gerard
• Oldsmar Mayor Eric Seidel
• St Pete Council Member Robert Blackmon
• St. Pete Council Member Gina Driscoll 
• St Pete Council Member Brandi Gabbard
• St. Pete Council Chairman Ed Montanari
• Pinellas School Board Member Dr. Nicole Carr
• Pinellas School Board Member Caprice Edmond
• Oldsmar Council Member Dan Saracki
• Pinellas County Clerk Ken Burke
• Pinellas Park Mayor Sandra Bradbury
• Pinellas Park Council Member Keith Sabiel

Advocacy is a key pillar for the Habitat for Humanity organization. Our affiliate is making a further commitment and investment advocating for the advancement of affordable homeownership in our community. Through advocacy, Habitat seeks to influence policy and promote affordability among the broader housing continuum. To learn more, visit https://habitatpwp.org/advocate/.

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties

Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has served over 900 families and individuals through its new home buyer and neighborhood revitalization programs using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. Candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to 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. Additionally, the affiliate raises funds through their two ReStores; home improvement outlets where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org.

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