Since 1987 Hillsborough Habitat has been helping low income residents of Hillsborough County build, buy and restore safe, efficient and comfortable homes. No experience is needed to volunteer your time with Hillsborough Habitat.
The availability of affordable housing, as well as the expense of upkeep of existing homes, has been an issue for many Americans over the past few years. Habitat For Humanity of Hillsborough County, Inc. (Habitat Hillsborough) is an affordable housing provider/lender that serves low income residents of Hillsborough County.
Kathy Brogli, family services director for Habitat Hillsborough said, “We serve first-time homebuyers whose income is 30-80 percent of area median income. Habitat Hillsborough seeks to provide affordable housing services to the community through our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). The NRI consists of new construction, as well as rehabilitation of existing homes. The third component of NRI is our ‘A Brush with Kindness’ program, through which we provide minor exterior repairs, painting and landscaping to existing low income homeowners.”
Habitat Hillsborough completes eight-10 projects per year. During October, Habitat Hillsborough builds one to two homes in a week for their annual Suzie Q Blitz Build for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Rehab projects take two to six weeks, and “A Brush with Kindness” projects take two to three days.
Brogli said, “Although we serve all of Hillsborough County, we are currently focusing on East Tampa area. We are currently building a 15-home subdivision called Providence Pointe in the U.S. Hwy 301 and MLK area.” Brogli further explained, “We are currently seeking veteran families for our Habitat for Heroes program.”
Brogli said, “Our vision is a community that offers safe, efficient and comfortable homes for families in Hillsborough County.”
Habitat Hillsborough is always looking for volunteers. No special experience is necessary. Habitat Hillsborough staff and trained Crew Leaders provide on-the-job training. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. You can also visit Habitat ReStore, a home improvement resale store located at 3738 E. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa.
For more information on Habitat Hillsborough, please visit www.habitathillsborough.com or call 239-2242.
