Habitat for Humanity is currently working to help fix up the South St. Petersburg area with 10 to 15 new homes.
- Habitat for Humanity to fix up South St. Pete area with new homes
- 10 to 15 homes being built over six months
- One resident expected to move in in June
The group is investing more than a million dollars this year alone—which is the largest home construction boost for that area in more than a decade.
The homes will be built over the next six months and with the new homes, the group hopes to bring back the pride that people who live there once felt.
Shamira Burton’s new home is currently being built on 21st Avenue South.
“It’s going to be me and my two children,” Burton said. “They want to come and see it every day. They already chose their bedrooms.”
The Burtons are one of a dozen families who will be moving in to a brand new Habitat for Humanity home in South St. Petersburg this year.
Mike Sutton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, said building the homes not only benefits the families who own them, but the entire community.
“South St. Petersburg is a very historic area. A lot of people who live in South St. Pete have lived here for generations and so there’s a pride there,” Sutton said.
That pride is what Shamira is looking forward to the most—the pride that comes with having a place for your kids to call home.
“I am in a great period of my life right now. I just turned 30 years old,” she said. “It’s been amazing just watching the ground from nothing to now. It’s been a great feeling.”
The dedication ceremony for Shamira’s home is on June 9 and she plans on moving in right after.
All homeowners must go through an application process and must complete sweat equity hours to be approved.