Tampa Veteran To Receive Keys To New Home From Habitat For Humanity

TAMPA, FL — Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County returns with its Veterans Build Week of Service on Nov. 3-11 to focus on homeownership and home preservation projects for veterans and their families in Hillsborough County.

In recognition of National Veterans and Military Families Month and to culminate the week of service, Habitat Hillsborough will host a home dedication for a local veteran on Veterans Day.

“Although we support veterans through our services year-round, this is always a special time of year when volunteers and community partners get to show appreciation and to advocate for the housing needs of military veterans in the Hillsborough County community,” said Tina Forcier, CEO at Habitat Hillsborough. “The journey to homeownership for military members transitioning to civilian life can have its ups and downs as they face challenges in obtaining decent and stable shelter, but we’re dedicated to helping them achieve their homeownership goals.”

There are more than 90,000 military veterans residing in Hillsborough County, according to the Housing Assistance Council. Of those, 26 percent are considered cost-burdened, and 11 percent are severely cost-burdened, spending more than half of their household income on rent or mortgage.

Volunteers will complete five home preservation projects throughout the week in Tampa and Plant City, ranging from painting and landscaping to replacing roofs. Habitat Hillsborough will also spotlight affordable homeownership opportunities and services offered through its Veterans Initiative program.

On Nov. 11, U.S. Air Force veteran Mario Melo will receive keys to his new three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Tampa’s Curiosity Creek neighborhood, where Habitat Hillsborough is building 25 homes. Melo served four years in the Air Force as an aircraft armament systems specialist, but when the time came to return to civilian life and look for affordable housing, he faced the challenge of an increasingly expensive housing market while contending with diminishing income.

“I was frustrated because I was exhausting all my options trying to find a stable and affordable place to live,” said Melo, who currently lives on a fixed income and rents a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. “I learned about Habitat Hillsborough, and they helped me come up with a plan to work toward owning a home. To me, a home represents more than just shelter; it signifies a sanctuary where worries about landlords and escalating rents can be put to rest.”

Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County became an affiliate in 1987 and is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally through constructing and preserving homes; advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their housing conditions.