ABOVE: Habitat for Humanity at St Pete Pride 2019. Photo via Habitat for Humanity.
TAMPA BAY | Fundraising efforts and a candidate search are underway for Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties’ 2022 Pride Build, a project designed to benefit potential homeowners with at least one household member who identifies as LGBTQ.
The organization is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the global nonprofit which builds homes for those in need. The chapter has served more than 900 families and individuals since 1985.
In building and selling homes at no profit and no interest to those who don’t quality for traditional mortgages, Habitat works to turn beneficiaries into successful homeowners through education and more. They also offer a variety of specialty builds, including a Men’s Build, Women’s Build and Veterans’ Build.
Their Pride Build initially launched in 2019 to raise awareness that Habitat can serve as a resource for those in the LGBTQ community but was delayed due to COVID-19. The organization is seeking to raise $50,000 to finance the project.
“We have such a strong LGBTQ community here,” Habitat CEO Mike Sutton told Watermark when the Pride Build was announced. “We’ve served families in the past where someone in the household identifies as being LGBTQ—and given how strong the community has gotten in St. Petersburg, we want to figure out how we can show people that Habitat can help them achieve their dreams of owning their own home.”
Jac Smith and The Jac Smith Group of Keller Williams St. Pete Impact Team are working to make that a reality as one of the Build’s sponsors. They’re doing so because “many of us are fortunate enough to own our own homes and we would like to help everyone achieve the ultimate American Dream of homeownership,” Smith says.
“Habitat believes that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, societal or economic background can own a home,” he continues. “The JGS Group is honored to help with his incredible feat that can be achieved one home at a time.”
Homeowner candidates must earn 30-80% of an area’s median income and demonstrate the need for adequate shelter to be considered for the Pride Build, with an ability to pay back a zero-interest loan. They’re also required to have lived or worked locally for at least one year, have “reasonably good credit” and to invest 350-450 hours of “sweat equity,” working to make homeownership a reality for other Habitat beneficiaries.
For those who aren’t in need of affordable housing, sponsorships are also available for the Pride Build. Donations of all sizes are accepted, serving as a way to give back to the LGBTQ community at large.
“We are very lucky to live in a place that is so welcoming to us,” Habitat Compliance Officer Val Brinkley explained in 2019. “One more person in affordable, safe housing is a benefit to the community as a whole.”
“At Habitat, we believe everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live,” Sutton stresses. “We wanted to make sure that our affiliate reflects the community in which we serve and that we are also investing in the LGBTQ community.”
To learn how you can support Habitat for Humanity’s 2022 Pride Build, contact Habitat Chief Development Officer Jenny Gonzalez-Bohnert at 727-536-4755, ext. 220 or JGonzalez@HabitatPWP.org. For more information and to make a donation, visit HabitatPWP.org/Pride.
