Tampa Mayor Castor visits Habitat Hillsborough homeowners to kick off National Homeownership Month.
TAMPA, FL, June 5, 2019 – Newly elected Tampa Mayor Jane Castor kicked off National Homeownership month on Saturday morning sharing coffee, donuts and a tour of an Ybor City area Habitat for Humanity home with its new homeowners, Adam and Nanci Damewood.
Mayor Castor was invited for her June 1st visit by the Damewood family and Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County to learn more about the quality of Habitat’s work in the city of Tampa. Habitat has partnered with the City’s Housing and Community Development division to expand the supply of affordable housing and is an integral partner in the City’s affordable housing strategy. Habitat for Humanity is unique in that it serves low-income families that earn below 80% of the area median income.
Mayor Castor also got to hear firsthand from the homeowners how Habitat’s affordable homeownership program helps stabilize income-eligible families. The Damewood home, a 1,300 sq. ft., 3 bedroom/2 bathroom block home, was completed in February. The home was built chiefly by local veterans and active military volunteers as part of Habitat Hillsborough’s “Veterans Build” for Adam Damewood, who is himself a U.S. Army veteran.
Prior to purchasing their home with a zero-interest mortgage, the Damewoods completed 375 sweat equity hours on the Habitat build sites in lieu of a down payment and attended homeowner preparation classes as required by their agreement with Habitat Hillsborough.
“Having the opportunity to make one final move into a secure home that my spouse Nanci and I can afford without constant worry about housing or financial instability provides us the foundation where we can thrive and focus on our future goals,” said Damewood.
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