Habitat for Humanity Build In Safety Harbor This Weekend

Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County has helped build 270 homes for qualified low-income families by using locally raised funds and teams of volunteers from the community. 

This weekend, the organization will begin its second ever project in Safety Harbor, building a home for a family of five on Spruce Street using groups of volunteers, including one team made up of city officials.

Many of those involved in the project expressed excitement at having another Habitat build take place in town. 

“Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County is honored to be building again in the City of Safety Harbor,” Barbara Inman, the organization's president and CEO, wrote to Patch. 

“Our last home there was in 2007 for a family of 11! This is not quite as large of a home, but no less special for the family who will be living in it.” 

Of course the future homeowners, the Loving family, can’t wait to settle into their new house.

“My goal in life has never been to be rich,” Kitina Loving said in an interview for the project. “It has always been to become financially stable and to provide a safe, supportive and loving environment for my awesome children.” 

According to Habitat for Humanity, each project requires between 1,200 and 1,500 volunteer hours to complete; the future homeowners are required to put in at least 250-350 “sweat equity” hours themselves, as well as take 13 homeowner education courses.

Also, during the project building materials and household supplies are collected and donated to the organization’s ReStore shop in Clearwater.

The support of the community is one of the biggest drawing points for city officials; the project is especially important to Safety Harbor City Commissioner Nina Bandoni. 

“I’ve done a lot of work with nonprofits in the overseeing, planning, construction and funding of affordable housing projects,” Bandoni, who is president and CEO of affordable housing consulting firm Community Development Concepts, told Patch recently. 

“Anytime we are doing something to help someone take steps to make a better life for themselves, that is of the utmost importance to me.”

Bandoni, who has also served on many planning and development boards, said having a project like a Habitat for Humanity build in Safety Harbor is invaluable for the entire community.

“I think it will be a great opportunity for us to work together as a team,” she said of her City Hall colleagues and residents of the community. 

“It’s really important to look at how Safety Harbor interlinks to other cities and the entire region, and not be an island unto itself,” she added. “Times have changed. We have to all work together.”

To find out about volunteering or donating supplies for the Habitat for Humanity build in Safety Harbor, please contact Kevin Klucas at 727-536-4755 x208 or email him at volunteer@HabitatPinellas.org.

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