Habitat for Humanity to break ground on 57-home community in Lealman
/Habitat for Humanity’s completed homes in lealman | habitat for humanity tampa bay gulfside
Nearly six acres of underutilized land in St. Pete’s Lealman neighborhood is set to be transformed into a new affordable housing community.
Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside is expected to break ground by the end of the year on a project that will bring 57 new homes to families in need.
Located across from Lealman Elementary School at the corner of 58th Avenue North and 40th Street North, the new community will feature 31 single-family homes and 26 townhomes.
The townhomes will rise on a 1.74-acre parcel at 4000 58th Avenue North, while the single-family homes will be constructed on surrounding land.
The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County acquired the properties in 2016.
Habitat for Humanity is planning 57 affordable homes across from Lealman Elementary School at 58th Avenue North and 40th Street North | Google Maps
“We have completed around 100 homes in Lealman and have built a great relationship with the Lealman CRA and community here,” Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside CEO Mike Sutton said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising, also noting how earlier this week, the team dedicated its 1,000th home to a single mom in Lealman.
The site was once slated for an 86-unit affordable apartment project known as Lealman Heights, but those plans fell through due to financing issues.
Pinellas County re-advertised the property, and Habitat submitted the selected proposal.
The county is contributing $2.29 million in Penny for Pinellas funds toward the $10 million project.
The single-family homes, which are expected to commence construction later this year, will feature two to four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a one-car garage.
Sutton anticipates completing eight homes by June 2026, with additional homes following in phases.
Habitats is planning townhomes and single-family homes for the corner of 58th Avenue North and 40th Street North in Lealman | habitat for humanity Tampa Bay gulfside
As with all Habitat projects, homeownership opportunities will be reserved for families who earn between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Prospective homeowners must also complete a rigorous program that includes 38 homebuyer education classes and 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours working on Habitat homes.
In return, they’ll receive a fixed-rate, 0% interest mortgage to ensure long-term affordability.
“We’ve already identified some eligible families for the homes and are working with the Lealman Fire District to see if any cadets in their program would be interested and can qualify,” Sutton said. “This project is the best fit for the community in creating homeownership opportunities.”
The second phase of the development will focus on the 26 townhomes, which are expected to begin construction in early 2027.
Site plan for Habitat’s 26-unit townhome community set to rise at 4000 58th Avenue North in Lealman | High Point Engineering
Plans call for four two-story townhome buildings with garages, two retention ponds, and native Florida landscaping.
Habitat is working with Tampa-based High Point Engineering and Dunedin-based landscape architect Place Maker Design Studio. A general contractor has not been selected yet.
Rezoning approval from the city will be required before the project can move forward.
The Lealman project is just one of several projects Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside is undertaking.
The nonprofit recently completed the Shell Dash Townhomes in St. Pete’s Campbell Park neighborhood, is preparing to break ground on the 40-unit Pelican Place townhome community across from Tangerine Plaza, and continues work on the 54-unit Longlake Preserve townhome project in Largo.
Looking ahead, Habitat is also planning a major residential project on Wyatt Street in Largo, where 100 townhomes are expected to rise on the site of the former First Assembly of God church starting in 2026.
