St. Petersburg’s affordable housing landscape has seen a significant development with the introduction of The Grove, a Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside project. The Grove, located on 18th Avenue South, welcomed three new families into homes they helped build through Habitat’s sweat-equity program.
Affordable Homeownership
The project consists of 11 three-bedroom townhomes designed for households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. To keep monthly housing costs affordable, Habitat offers buyers 0% fixed-rate mortgages, no down payment requirements, and no private mortgage insurance. Future homeowners also complete education programs focused on budgeting, home maintenance, and homeowners association management.
Mayor Ken Welch, who grew up two blocks from The Grove site, emphasized the importance of this development in providing housing opportunities for longtime residents. The city transferred the land to Habitat in 2023 for $10 and later invested additional funding into the project through the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area.
The Grove represents a tangible example of affordable homeownership in a city where rising housing costs have pushed ownership out of reach for many working families. The average household income among buyers is just over 70% of the Area Median Income, and the city’s investment in the project totals nearly $790,000.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
