11 affordable townhomes completed as Habitat for Humanity wraps up The Grove in South St. Pete
/The Grove, an 11-unit affordable townhome community in south St. pete, began move-ins earlier this month | Habitat for HUmanity Tampa Bay Gulfside
Earlier this month, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside celebrated the completion of The Grove, an 11-unit affordable townhome community at 1805 18th Avenue South in south St. Pete.
The project, located three blocks east of Tangerine Plaza, was made possible after the City of St. Petersburg donated the property to Habitat in 2024.
“The Grove will be a community where children play safely, families thrive, and neighbors genuinely support one another,” said Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, as he handed keys to seven new homeowners during the dedication ceremony.
The new homeowners include a Pinellas County Schools educator, a James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center specialist and ordained minister, a Cannes Community Health employee, a JPMorgan Chase HR specialist, a Miller Electric apprentice electrician, and two Avera Health professionals.
The remaining families are expected to receive their keys in the coming months.
St. Petersburg City Councilmember Corey Givens Jr., who grew up near the site, spoke about the transformation he has witnessed firsthand.
“I grew up right around the corner… driving up and down 18th my whole life, seeing this blighted empty lot,” Givens said. “This represents new beginnings for your children, new generational wealth that you are creating for the generations to come. It represents a brand new start.”
The Grove is located at 1805 18th Avenue South, just three blocks east of Tangerine Plaza in south St. pete | Google Maps
Built by St. Pete-based general contractor Namasté Homes, the two-story townhomes each feature three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms across 1,188 square feet.
Every unit includes a one-car garage and a laundry room equipped with a washer and dryer.
Several community partners stepped up to help bring the project across the finish line.
State Farm donated $30,000, Ditec added storm surge protection systems to each unit, and Verizon, serving as the resiliency partner, helped fund impact-resistant windows and hurricane straps to make the homes more storm-ready for years to come.
Although the homes are priced at approximately $310,000, buyers do not take on traditional financing.
Habitat homeowners complete a comprehensive qualification and education process before earning a zero-interest, zero-down mortgage.
St. Petersburg City Councilmember Corey Givens Jr., who grew up near the site, spoke about the transformation he has witnessed firsthand | Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside
Applicants must earn between 30% and 80% of the area median income (AMI), demonstrate a need for safe and stable housing, show reliable income to repay the loan, and commit to partnering with Habitat throughout the process.
That partnership includes 38 homebuyer education classes covering budgeting, home maintenance, and financial literacy, along with 350 to 450 hours of sweat equity.
To earn their sweat equity hours, participants volunteer on construction sites, assist in Habitat offices or ReStores, and help build not only their own homes but those of other families in the program.
Once homeowners begin making mortgage payments, those funds are reinvested into a revolving fund that allows Habitat to build additional homes across the region.
Jade Copeland is a devoted educator with Pinellas County Schools and a proud mother | Habitat for humanity tampa bay gulfside
“Today is about so much more than buildings,” Sutton said during the ceremony. “It’s about hope, determination, community, and incredible families who have worked tirelessly to reach this moment.”
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside has built more than 1,000 homes.
The Grove is located just three blocks from Pelican Place, a 40-unit Habitat townhome community currently under construction in South St. Pete.
Sutton also announced during the event that Habitat is actively seeking qualified homebuyers for additional townhomes in Pinellas County and single-family homes in Pasco and Hernando counties.
“Habitat for Humanity did more than build us houses,” said new homeowner Jade Copeland. “You built hope, stability, and opportunity. What once felt out of reach is now a place we proudly call home. Because of you, our families now have a place where memories will be made for years to come.”
