1st Tarpon Springs Habitat For Humanity Homeowner Pays Off Mortgage

CLEARWATER, FL — Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties held a mortgage burning ceremony at its administrative headquarters in Clearwater May 31 for Habitat homeowner Mary Scott-Taylor, a Tarpon Springs resident who paid off her 25-year mortgage note three years early.

Scott-Taylor signed for her home on Jan. 31, 2001.

"I'm just thankful and grateful," said Scott-Taylor, a mom of three. "Just to see my kids grow up in a backyard and roll around in the grass and playing, it was amazing."

"We've had only seven foreclosures in the history of our program (823 homes)," said Habitat President & CEO Mike Sutton. "That really speaks to the information our homeowners learn in the program and their changed behaviors that will lead to a mortgage that will one day be paid off."

Scott-Taylor, who was the first Habitat homeowner to live in Tarpon Springs, called this moment "icing on the cake." She battled breast cancer in recent years and still managed to pay off her mortgage.

June is National Homeownership Month. Habitat for Humanity will welcome eight families to their new homes during the month.