Habitat for Humanity plans to build 50 houses
By ALEXANDRA CALDWELL
Article published on Wednesday, April 2, 2008  |
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| An artist’s concept art for Stevens Creek community. |
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CLEARWATER – Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County plans to build a mixed-income community in Clearwater called Stevens Creek.
Habitat for Humanity bought the 9-acre Homer Villas complex at 1884 N. Betty Lane from Clearwater Housing Authority.
This 61-unit complex will be demolished in the next few months, said Ron Spoor, land development manager for Habitat for Humanity, and the goal is to build 50 homes for low-income families and 10 market rate houses.
“The concept of a greater mix of income, we feel, augments the strength of the community,” Spoor said.
Homer Villas were federally subsidized rental properties for low-income residents, but they needed updates to comply with current standards. The Clearwater Housing Authority will use the proceeds of the sale toward local affordable housing communities, according to a press release.
“National public housing policies have strived to eliminate failed and obsolete properties, allowing for the conversion of these properties into new communities,” said Robert Aude, chairman of the Clearwater Housing Authority board of commissioners. “These programs eliminate the stigma associated with public housing by discontinuing the segregation between low-income families from the general public in warehouse-style buildings. Our first priority is the dignity of residents we serve.”
Eligible Homer Villas residents received housing choice vouchers and will have the first right to purchase homes in the new community, provided they meet Habitat for Humanity’s criteria. The new community hopefully will be completed by 2013, Spoor said.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, visit www.phfh.org.
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Article published on Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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