Our History

Habitat’s unique and sensible formula makes it possible for limited-income individuals and families to own a home they can afford. With volunteer labor and local donations of money and some in-kind materials, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties builds houses with the help of the homeowner families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families or individuals and financed with zero-interest loans.

Milestones

2023

The affiliate closed out its fiscal year on June 30th, and celebrated a record year with 73 families served locally and 73 served internationally with an Admin HQ Expansion Open House. Habitat celebrated its 800th home built in the community with the Clayton Family in Lealman. Successfully hosted the second annual CEO Build through which $10,000 was raised by 55 CEOs committed to creating affordable homeownership opportunities. Habitat continued it’s partnership with Kids Pedal Power to present 116 bikes to Habitat children on their dedication day. Increased homeowner education curriculum to 36 classes to better prepare homeowner candidates for their next chapter.

2022

The Habitat ReStore New Port Richey held it’s grand opening in May. The affiliate closed out its fiscal year on June 30th, and celebrated a record year with 67 families served locally and 67 served internationally. Successfully launched the inaugural CEO Build through which $140,000 was raised by 55 CEOs committed to creating affordable homeownership opportunities. Habitat continued it’s partnership with Kids Pedal Power to present 107 bikes to Habitat children on their dedication day. Increased homeowner education curriculum to 32 classes to better prepare homeowner candidates for their next chapter.

2021

The Habitat ReStore Palm Harbor was reopened in March. Habitat prepares for its 700th Home Milestone in August. The affiliate closed out its fiscal year on June 30th, and celebrated a record year with 60 families served locally and 60 served internationally. Habitat opened a new Administrative HQ to allow for the build out of a dedicate Homeowner Education Center and Homeowner Selection Area in its Clearwater location. Mike Sutton, President & CEO was recognized on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100 list.

2020

Despite the COVID 19 Pandemic, Habitat continued to move its mission forward with 61 deserving families served in the calendar year. The Habitat ReStores were nominated for Sustany Foundation’s Sustainable Business Award.  The affiliate was recognized for the third year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as a One Tampa Bay honoree. Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco dedicates its 600th home to the Gordon family in Ridgecrest.

2019

Habitat Pinellas and the West Pasco affiliate merge to become Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. The merger allows the affiliate to expand its service area and serve families and individuals in need. The affiliate broke ground on Tellor Estates, a 75-home development in Pinellas Park. Habitat received the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce CYP Award of Excellence and was recognized as the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber Nonprofit of the Year.

2018

Habitat Pinellas dedicates its 500th home to the Currie family in St. Petersburg. The affiliate was recognized as Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year and a Tampa Bay Business Journal One Tampa Bay Honoree.

2017

Habitat Pinellas dedicates the 400th home in Pinellas County and wins Tampa Bay Business Journals Nonprofit of the Year in “Public and Societal Benefit” category. Awarded Charity Navigator 4 star rating for the 11th consecutive year.

2016

Habitat Pinellas is a finalist for Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work Awards” and receives the “Nonprofit of the Year” award at the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber Awards and Installation banquet.

2015

Habitat Pinellas turns 30. Also, Charity Navigator awards Habitat Pinellas its ninth consecutive four-star rating and is named HSN’s “Partner of the Year.”

2014

Habitat Pinellas dedicates its 300th home in St. Petersburg. The Environmental Protection Agency awards Habitat Pinellas a national Energy Star Award and Raymond James Financial names Habitat Pinellas as “Partner of the Year.”

2013

The first Habitat Pinellas Global Village trip sent 10 volunteers to Guatemala for a weeklong build. Also, Habitat Pinellas’ annual Blitz Build completes two homes in seven days using 500 community volunteers.

2012

Habitat Pinellas dedicates its 250th home and Habitat President/CEO, Barbara Inman, is named “Nonprofit Woman of the Year” by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

2011

Habitat Pinellas relocates its administrative offices and ReStore to a larger facility in Clearwater. Also, over 600 volunteers participate in the Habitat Pinellas’s “Blitz Build” and builds two homes in one week.

2010

Habitat Pinellas celebrates its 25th anniversary and its fourth consecutive four-star rating. Also, the first multi-family development is built and the Showcase Home is opened for visitors.

2009

Operation REhabitat launches. Habitat Pinellas focuses efforts on renovating distressed mortgage properties due to the housing market collapse. Also, a weeklong, two-home Blitz Build takes place during Super Bowl XLIII. The home is built in a box and donated to the Pittsburg Habitat affiliate.

2008

The first Energy Star Certified home is built, which becomes the 200th house built for Habitat Pinellas. Also, Homer Villas is purchased in Clearwater and rebuilt as Stevens Creek. Over 50 homes are built.

2007

More than 400 women volunteer to build a house for the Habitat Pinellas. Also, Habitat Pinellas receives Charity Navigator four-star rating.

2006

Habitat Pinellas receives a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award. Also, professional building teams complete a Habitat Pinellas home in just five days — the fastest home build ever completed at this time.

2004

The ReStore, Habitat Pinellas’s home improvement outlet, opens its doors. Also, the first homeowner, Jane Dunaway, pays off and burns her mortgage, vowing to continue volunteering and helping others.

2003

In February, Habitat Pinellas completes its 100th house for a family located in St. Petersburg.

1990

The very first home outside of St. Petersburg is built in Clearwater. It is the 15th home ever for Habitat Pinellas. More homes in Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and Pinellas Park soon follow.

1985

Habitat Pinellas breaks ground on their very first home. The homeowner was required to put in 1,000 hours of sweat equity. Also, Habitat Pinellas is recognized as an HfHI affiliate.

1984

Habitat Pinellas is conceptualized at a meeting of the St. Petersburg Ministerial Association by Reverend Bob Gemmer. Reverend James Schwarzlose of the First Congregational Church of St. Petersburg is named Executive Director.

1976

Millard and Linda Fuller start Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI) in Americus, Georgia.

Accolades

2024

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties was recognized by the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce as the Large Business of the Year at their annual recognition gala.

Mike Sutton, President & CEO was recognized on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100 list for the fourth year in a row.

For the second Consecutive year, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties is recognized in the Large Category (50-99 employees) for the 2024 Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to Work.

2023

Mike Sutton, President & CEO was recognized on the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100 list for the third year in a row.

Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco was presented with the John 6:9 Award from Habitat International, recognizing the affiliate’s lifetime tithe that totals more than $3M+.

Our affiliate was recognized at the 2023 Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year.

Tampa Bay Business Journal recognizes Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties as a One Tampa Bay Honoree for the fifth consecutive year in a row.

Amplify Clearwater recognizes Habitat with the Environmental Steward Award at the 2023 Stellar Awards.

Habitat is named the winner of the Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best Awards, in the new home building category.

Mike Sutton, President & CEO is recognized as a USF Fast 56 honoree which recognizes and celebrates the world’s fastest growing USF Bull-owned or Bull-led businesses.

Habitat was celebrated as a finalist for the Business Impact award from the Pasco EDC.

Habitat Homeowner and Board Member, Davisha Earley, is recognized with the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero award.

Habitat for Humanity was the recipient of the Large Community Conscious Award at the 2023 Good ‘Burger Awards.

Habitat received the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for their energy saving construction techniques.

2022

Recognized as Largest Habitat Affiliate based on new home builds across 945 US affiliates

Habitat’s Chief Construction Officer, Gaby Camacho, was recognized by the St. Petersburg Civitan Club with their 2022 Four Chaplains Award

Our affiliate is awarded the 2022 ENERGY STAR® Market Leader Award in recognition of our contribution to building energy-efficient new homes that have earned ENERGY STAR certification

Chief People & Culture Officer, Todd St. John-Fulton, was named the winner of the Chief Human Resources Officer of the year award at the Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine’s 2022 Apogee Awards

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas & West Pasco Counties was honored by Amplify Clearwater (the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce) with the 2022 Nonprofit Excellent Award

Tampa Bay Business Journal recognizes Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties as a One Tampa Bay Honoree for the fourth consecutive year in a row.

Morgan Brochetti, Chief External Relations Officer, recognized as the the 2022 Sue Ellen Richardson Rookie of the Year with Tampa Bay PRSA

Received the 2022 Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce Service Organization of the Year Award

 

2021

Tampa Bay Business Journal recognizes Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties as a One Tampa Bay Honoree. The affiliate is the 2nd largest based on new home builds across 1,100 US affiliates. Mike Sutton, President & CEO, is recognized on Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100 List. Habitat ReStores nominated for Sustany Foundation’s Sustainable Business Award. Habitat was recognized as Amplify Clearwater’s  inaugural Culture Creator award recipient.

2020

The Suncoast Chapter Building Officials Association of Florida awards Habitat with the Community Service Award and a $2,500 donation. Habitat receives a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

2019

Habitat received the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce CYP Award of Excellence and was recognized as the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber Nonprofit of the Year. The affiliate is the 3rd largest homebuilder among 1,200 Habitat affiliates across the country. Habitat Pinellas & West Pasco was announced as Nonprofit of the Year by the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce.

2018

The affiliate was recognized as Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year and a Tampa Bay Business Journal One Tampa Bay Honoree. Habitat receives the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of level achievable. Habitat President & CEO, Mike Sutton, received the 2018 Roy Deeb Service Award at the Annual ALPHA House of Pinellas County Luncheon.

2017

Habitat Pinellas wins Tampa Bay Business Journals Nonprofit of the Year in “Public and Societal Benefit” category. Awarded Charity Navigator 4 star rating for the 11th consecutive year.

2016

Habitat Pinellas is a finalist for Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work Awards” and receives the “Nonprofit of the Year” award at the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber Awards and Installation banquet. The Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce names Habitat as the Nonprofit of the Year.

2015

Habitat Pinellas turns 30. Also, Charity Navigator awards Habitat Pinellas its ninth consecutive four-star rating and is named HSN’s “Partner of the Year.”

2014

The Environmental Protection Agency awards Habitat Pinellas a national Energy Star Award and Raymond James Financial names Habitat Pinellas as “Partner of the Year.”

2012

Habitat President & CEO, Barbara Inman, is named “Nonprofit Woman of the Year” by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.

2010

Habitat Pinellas celebrates its 25th anniversary and its fourth consecutive four-star rating.

2007

Habitat Pinellas receives a Charity Navigator four-star rating.

2006

Habitat Pinellas receives a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award.