The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High charter approved

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The Pasco County School Board has approved a charter application for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High School, at 33347 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

The approval is for a five-year period, which began July 1 and runs through June 30, 2028.

The approval includes a provision that the term shall be automatically extended on a month-to-month basis until the charter has been renewed, non-renewed, or terminated by the sponsor, according to background materials in the Pasco County School Board’s July 25 agenda packet.

The school is authorized to serve students in grades nine through 12. 

The following is the student enrollment capacity by year: 

  1. Year 1 (2023-2024): Grade nine up to a maximum of 200 students 
  2. Year 2 (2024-2025): Grades nine to 10 up to a maximum of 550 students 
  3. Year 3 (2025-2026): Grades nine to 11 up to a maximum of 900 students 
  4. Year 4 (2026-2027): Grades nine to 12 up to a maximum of 1,250 students 
  5. Year 5 (2027-2028): Grades nine to 12 up to a maximum of 1,400 students

The charter approval allows the school to recruit throughout all segments of the community, using direct mailings, public advertisement, information in the local and community press, and informational meetings at various locations and in English or other languages, as appropriate.

If the number of applications exceeds the capacity of the program, class, grade level, or building, all applicants shall have an equal chance of being admitted through a random selection process. 

Students at the school also are eligible to participate in an interscholastic extracurricular activity at the public school to which the student would be otherwise assigned, the background materials say.

Published August 16, 2023

Staying cool, when it’s hot, hot, hot

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Pasco County employees Rachel Nieto, left, and Stephen Roa fill their water bottles, while Matthew Potts, center, takes a sip and Jimmy Sullivan, wears a water backpack, as he works. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Pasco County’s Safety Team put together some pointers to help people stay cool – whether they are on the job for the county, or for anyone who is outside mowing the lawn, tending their garden, exercising or exerting themselves in other ways during this sweltering summer.

In a county news release, the safety team says the keys to staying safe are keeping cool, staying hydrated and getting rest.

Keep Cool: Dress for the heat. Wear a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing when possible. Add a hat with neck shade, cooling neckband, headband, and vest. You can even use a portable neck fan.

Apply a sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours.

Stay hydrated: Drink cool water or a hydrating drink often, even if you are not thirsty. Limit caffeine, sugary beverages and alcohol. These beverages cause your body to remove fluids at a much quicker rate, leading to dehydration. Instead, drink an electrolyte replenishment liquid.

Take breaks: Take time to recover from the heat with periodic breaks. Take breaks in a designated shady or cool location.

Published August 23, 2023

Public is invited to help shape Pasco’s future

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Pasco County is establishing its vision for the future and is asking the public to weigh in on the Pasco County 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Here are upcoming opportunities for interested parties to get involved:

  • Aug. 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel
  • Aug. 23, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sessions are being held on the same day, at the same time at these two locations: River Ridge High School Gymnasium, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey and at Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa. Both of these sessions will cover the same materials, but held in two locations for the convenience of those who would like to take part.

During the workshops, attendees will learn about the community-driven vision derived from the public input received thus far and provide their ideas on potential implementation strategies to include in the update.

Those having questions about the event or the project may contact Hayat Mazili, project manager at 727-847-8140, ext. 7615.

Published August 16, 2023

Higher speed limits save little time, but pose safety risks, study shows

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While it might seem like raising speed limits would save time on the road, an AAA Foundation for Traffic Study found that isn’t necessarily true.

The AAA Foundation’s research found that raising posted speed limits may do little to save time and improve traffic flow, but could lead to more crashes, injuries and deaths, according to a news release from AAA.

The research results varied across 12 roadway sites that the study examined. All had new posted speed limits. Six were higher and six were lower. The study also includes various types of roads, the news release says.

The results showed:

  • Raising posted speed limits was associated with increased crashes on two of three interstate highways.
  • Lowering posted speed limits led to fewer crashes in many cases examined, but the likelihood increased for speed limit violations.
  • Changes in travel times were small, whether the speed limits were raised or lowered.

“Our study found no one-size-fits-all answer regarding the impact of changing speed limits,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group, said in the release.

“AAA urges transportation officials to apply a “holistic” approach when setting or changing posted speed limits and prioritize safety over speed and capacity,” Jenkin said.

Speeding is a critical factor in vehicle crashes across the nation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 42,000 traffic deaths in 2021 and again in 2022, the highest levels in 16 years, according to the AAA release.

The NHTSA reports that speeding was a factor in nearly 29% of the fatalities in 2021 and 27% in 2022, the release added.

AAA recommends that changes in posted speed limits should consider a range of factors, including but not limited to the type of road, surrounding land use, and historical crash data. AAA supports automated speed enforcement, but says that programs must be carefully implemented to maintain community support, prioritize equity and consistently drive improved safety. 

“The movement in statehouses to raise speed limits is happening across the country in at least eight states this year,” Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA, said in the release. “But the benefits are overrated, and the risks are understated. Increasing speed limits does not always yield the positive results envisioned by traffic planners.”

This study is the third phase of the AAA Foundation research examining the effect of posted speed limit changes on safety.

Published August 16, 2023

Orange Belt Trail alternatives are topic of meeting

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The public is invited to attend upcoming meetings to discuss alternatives relating to the planned Orange Belt Trail, which will span roughly 37 miles through Pasco County, from Trinity to Trilby.

Some residents can’t wait for the Orange Belt Trail to come their way, others are resistant. Everyone is welcome to weigh in on Pasco County’s proposed alternatives for the trail that eventually is expected to span roughly 37 miles, from Trinity to Trilby. (File)

The meetings will provide an update on the study, which includes changes based on input received at previous workshops, according to a Pasco County news release.

The project team will present potential alignments, along with maps of the alternative routes.

Team members also will present an evaluation and solicit feedback on the alternatives.

Both meetings will cover the same information.

Here are the meeting dates and places:

  • Aug. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the GFWC Dade City Woman’s Club, 37922 Palm Ave., in Dade City
  • Aug. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, in Odessa.

The meetings are held open-house style, so participants can come and go.

A brief formal presentation will be given each evening at 6 p.m., and staff will be available to answer questions.

Input collected at the sessions will help Pasco County determine which alternatives will move forward through the study.

A recommended alignment is expected to be presented to the Pasco Board of County Commissioners in mid-2024.

For more information, visit OrangeBeltTrail.com. To learn more about Pasco County Engineering Services, visit MyPas.co/3tzL8N3.

Published August 09, 2023

Pasco youth influencing change

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The group became active because of inactivity.

Pasco County STAND Above the Influence, a youth-led coalition that takes on community initiatives such as underage drinking, drug abuse and more, has two divisions, with one on both the east and west side of the county.

East Pasco STAND recently reactivated, after COVID depleted its roster.

President of Pasco County STAND Above the Influence coalition Maddie Horn listens as a fellow member speaks during a youth panel at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus on July 25. STAND will meet monthly to work on community-wide initiatives to address youth drug, alcohol and tobacco addiction, mental health and other issues. (Mike Camunas)

“We did a little recruitment to show (the kids) this is what we’re all about and to come out and see what we do,” said Bonni Snider, one of the four adult mentors and advisors to STAND. She’s been with the group since its formation in 2014.

“And now, we have about seven (members) back on East Pasco STAND.”

The group of middle school and high school members looks to inspire positive change, and cultivate safe and healthy communities. They focus on issues including youth drug use, mental health, underage drinking, impaired driving, tobacco and vaping use, safety, violence and bullying.

At the group meetings, which are typically once a month, the middle school and high school members choose priority initiatives and talk about what actions they want to take within the community.

Meetings typically begin at the start of the school year, Snider said.

The group generally chooses about three priority initiatives, she added.

“One thing we want people to understand about STAND and its youth is that it is entirely youth-led,” Snider said. “When we have our summit meetings, everyone gets together, and when we did, we passed around sticky notes and told them to write down what they wanted to focus on this year. Then, we take votes and narrow down to the top three.

Jaylynn Grady, STAND secretary, speaks at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel during a youth panel discussion for Pasco Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (ASAP).

“For example, the youth got together, then said what about all the people affected by COVID. Then they said ‘What about all those pets?’ So they did a fundraiser and donated it to a shelter and another one for needy families who needed food around Christmas.”

STAND president Maddie Horn said this year the group’s top three priority issues are youth and mental health; underage drug use; and, abuse and inclusivity.

Horn joined the group nearly five years ago as a way to become active in the community.

“We host summits for youth to come and learn about how to contribute to our initiatives,” Horn said. “We find that, at the beginning, (new members) can be, sometimes, soft-spoken or shy. But once in STAND, they find their confidence and their voice because we tell them that it matters what they do and say — it can and will make a difference. 

“All they have to do is show up and be involved.”

STAND vice president Liam Moore agreed.

“Everything falls upon people participating and being active within this community because if you’re not active, how are we going to be able to do anything to make a difference at all?” Moore said. “Most people who join STAND, at the beginning, are very inactive, and what happens — they leave the group or disappear and we never see them again.

“We need teenagers and middle-schoolers to be as active as possible so we can maximize the impact we make in the community. The more kids that get involved with STAND, the more people are going to notice.”

Snider points to Horn as the best example of this.

Jamye Cardello-Peters, a Pasco County STAND member, speaks during a youth panel discussion at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

When Horn joined STAND, Snider said, “I would have said she would have been a viable member, but our president? Back then, I wasn’t so sure.

“She came in and wasn’t sure she could do this,” Snider added. “Now, she’s the president of our STAND coalition and leading in the community and inspiring other members.”

Other members include Kiley Griggs, who has special needs and is passionate about STAND’s initiative regarding inclusivity.

“We need to educate on the intolerance of kids with special needs and disabilities and normalize it,” she said. “Thirty-five years after the ADA (Americans Disability Act) was established and those people, and kids, with special needs are still not normalized. It shouldn’t be that way.”

Snider said getting involved can make a difference, and added that STAND offers an easy way to do that.

“It is vitally important to join and be a part, to reach out, to show up, to be active (with STAND),” Snider said. “The idea as a youth, that they learn that being a part makes a difference, no matter if they have a direct connection (to an issue) or just feel passionate about being a part of something that works to help fellow youth and the community, that’s important as anything.

“And I think that people who join STAND already realize that or come to realize it.”

STAND Above the Influence
Details: STAND Above the Influence is a youth-led coalition that empowers youth to be agents of change by strengthening their voices and educating others to build a healthier community. Its members are made up of middle school and high school students who seek to embrace the voices of youth and to inspire innovative initiatives to address issues, and cultivate safe and healthy communities. The group’s priority issues include youth drug use, mental health, underage drinking, impaired driving, tobacco and vaping use, safety, violence and bullying.
STAND in Pasco County has two coalitions, one in East Pasco and one in West Pasco. The East Pasco Youth Advocacy Meeting is held every third Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at YESS Office Space, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.
Info: Visit EmpoweredCommunities.org/stand/home/, or email advisor Bonni Snider at .

Published August 09, 2023

Higher park impact fees are coming to Pasco, so are more parks

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The Pasco County Commission has approved park impact fees of $3,450.15 per residential dwelling.

The higher fees, adopted by the board on July 11, take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The new rate is a whopping increase from the current rate of $891.82 per single-family unit and $627 per multi-family unit.

Impact fees are charged to new construction to address demands caused by growth.

State law limits impact fee increases to 50%, unless extraordinary circumstances can be demonstrated.

Recreational centers, such as the Wesley Chapel Recreational Complex, are popular gathering spots for people of all ages. They offer a variety of programs — giving people a chance to keep fit and make friends. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

In addressing the board about the proposed rate hike, Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, noted that Pasco hasn’t raised its park impact fees since 2002. He also pointed out that the county has experienced unprecedented growth, while also encountering steeper costs because of inflation.

Simply put, the county can’t keep up with increasing demands caused by Pasco’s increased population, he said.

The higher fees will support projects outlined in a master plan that addresses park and recreation needs through 2045.

The master plan includes more than 20 new parks, expansions or other facilities — aimed at providing more recreational opportunities throughout the county.

Joe Farrell, of the Central Pasco Realtor Organization, spoke during the county board’s July 11 public hearing.

“In general, we are supportive of impact fees. We understand there are needs in our community — and the answer, almost all of the time, is money, for those needs,” Farrell said.

However, he told the board: “One thing we’d like to see more expressly identified, or lined out in this ordinance, in the fee schedule area there’d be an exemption for affordable housing. The cost of housing is going up, that’s not news to anyone.

“What is unusual is that when interest rates are going up, the prices are either stabilizing, staying the same, or going up, too; that’s unusual and we’re seeing that throughout Tampa Bay.

“That means there’s still going to be an increased need and an increased cost for construction in our region.

“So, we’re really looking out for those kinds of folks — just basically for our workforce. For first-time homebuyers, it’s getting harder and harder,” Farrell said.

Farrell’s appeal found some support from Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano:  “They’re not looking for a full exemption, but maybe a partial.”

But Commissioner Seth Weightman said he could not support the request.

“I’m opposed to the exemption, until we understand the full impacts of the Live Local Act. I don’t think we need to be giving any further exemption to fees for affordable housing,” Weightman said.

The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, provides a chance to sit on a bench and relax for a while, watch a ball game, go for a ride on a swing and do all sorts of other activities. (File)

The Live Local Act, approved by the Florida Legislature during its last session, allows land that has been zoned for commercial or industrial uses to be converted to multifamily development and to qualify for a tax exemption — provided the development meets requirements relating to a provision of affordable housing.

It is unclear, at this point, what impact the new law will have on the ability of local jurisdictions to promote economic development, and on tax revenues that support local budgets.

Weightman has been paying close attention to potential impacts.

“We have five (Live Local projects) in the pipeline,” Weightman said.

“I think we need to wait 12 months to understand the impact of this bill and what it can mean to our tax base before we make any decision on this particular exemption,” he said.

However, Weightman added, he would be willing to take another look at the issue in 12 months — after more is known about potential impacts from Live Local.

While stakeholders asked for the higher fees to be phased in, the Pasco County Planning Commission asked the board to consider a smaller increase.

The planning board pointed to other jurisdictions with lesser fees and to an economy that is not as strong as it was when the county board began talking about the increased park impact fee last year.

But the planning board’s concerns did not sway the county board.

After the rate increase was approved, Wiley said, via email, that the board’s action demonstrates that the county knows that parks, recreation centers and natural resources play an essential role in the community.

“The approval of the impact fee by the Pasco Board of County Commissioners shows the board’s tremendous and unwavering support for our team and the services we provide,” the parks department leader said.

“This increase will help us fund more than 20 major park projects across the county and will allow us to continue to improve the quality of life of Pasco County residents by providing even more athletic, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities,” Wiley said.

Published August 09, 2023

History, locked in for a stay

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Pick a room — any room.

It surely will be decorated with Dade City lore and history.

At the Locke Inn — the town’s newest Airbnb rental, event space and attraction — there are six rooms, all featuring a distinction unique to Dade City. The old brick building was built in 1892 and served as the Pasco County Jail.

The Locke Inn, at 37739 Robinson Ave., Dade City, once was the town’s original jail. Constructed in 1892, it operated until 1938. The two-story brick building has been completely renovated into a six-bedroom Airbnb. It can accommodate up to 12 guests and can be used as an event space for weddings, parties and other events. The Inn also has themed bedrooms. Besides The Clink, representing the building’s history, there are other rooms that reflect Dade City’s identity, including The Atlantic Coast Room and The Kumquat Room. (Mike Camunas)

The building hasn’t held prisoners for decades, but now is booking plenty of visitors as Dade City’s newest, and hottest, place to spend the night after Lori Patrick McCarthy and her partners completely renovated the place.

“There are already a lot of venues in Dade City, but also not many places to stay,” McCarthy said. “We promote it as a place to stay, when using the other venues, or for event space for small parties or even a micro wedding (about 50 people).

“But really,” McCarthy said, “I love themes. I love when something has a theme, so that’s what we have here at the Locke Inn.”

Locke Inn actually has several themes for its six rooms.

In the upstairs, there are three rooms, each having a theme linked to Dade City’s identity.

There’s the Atlantic Coast Line Room, honoring the rail company that came through the town in the early 1900s and built the depot (now the Dade City Heritage Museum) in 1912.

There’s the Kumquart Master room, which, of course, honors the town’s love affair with its official fruit.

And, there’s also the Cattle Ranch Room to honor the town’s farming, agricultural and ranching history.

Downstairs, guests spend the night in the slammer.

The Atlantic Coast Line bedroom at the Locke Inn embraces the train line that has a long history in Dade City, and continues to run through the town.

Three rooms are grouped together in The Clink: The Warden Master room, and Cell Blocks 1 and 2, while the bathroom used to be where prisoners were held in solitary confinement.

“I think everyone thinks that everything in here is going to be old — it just kind of looks old — but everything is also brand new,” McCarthy said. “We renovated it from the ground up.

“The history is cool — its niche, and there’s all this history, which we want to honor.”

Locke Inne still features its original steel bars on the windows, including the window where visitors would come talk to prisoners.

The structure also features the original red tile roof.

Besides being a jail, the building housed the sheriff and his family.

At the time when the jail was built, the sheriff’s wife would cook for those who were incarcerated.

An antique piano sits in the lobby of the Locke Inn in Dade City. Now an Airbnb, the structure was built in 1892 to serve as the town’s original jail.

Moonshine was often on the grounds, as well, left for prisoners that requested it, while many poignant African American hymn songs also were sung there.

Architect Francis Kennard, from England, designed the building.

Capt. Augustine Henry Ravesies, who settled in Trilby after the Civil War, built it.

The structure is considered to be the first masonry building in Pasco County.

Six hangings took place there from 1892 to 1917.

“The jailhouse was an ominous place where picnickers situated themselves on the grounds for the spectacle of pubic hangings and where at least one unauthorized lynching occurred after a prisoner was seized from the jail,” according to “A Haunted History of Pasco County,” by Madonna Jervis Wise.

The Clink makes up the bottom floor bedrooms at the Locke Inn in Dade City. The two bedrooms in this part of the Airbnb have a jail theme.

There were jailbreaks, too, according to the Tampa Morning Tribune.

“It was important to keep the history,” McCarthy added. “Dade City is an amazing town, and while I’m not from here, I have fallen in love with the people and the town.”

The building sat abandoned for years, until Robert E. Meyer Jr., from Atlas Group Inc., purchased the crumbling jail in 1980 for $20,000 and renovated it.

It has served as a storage facility, law offices and even an insurance agency, as Buddy Jones owned it for 28 years.

Thirty years ago, Joan Rees discovered the original cornerstone in 1993, and it features the names of the county commissioners at the time. The stone was donated to the West Pasco Historical Museum at Sims Park in New Port Richey.

Despite the history that’s known about the jail, questions do remain.

For instance, is the Locke Inn haunted?

“Well,” McCarthy said with a laugh, “it depends on who you ask or what you feel while in the building.

An old-time telephone is part of the décor in the Locke Inn in Dade City, which embraces the structure’s history as the town’s original jail.

“I haven’t seen or heard anything here, but we’ve had people stay, and one of those people, he was crying because he said he felt something, which is kind of exciting and scary.

“He wasn’t scared, more like really excited.”

There isn’t an abundance of sightings at the old jail, except for one story.

In 1984, Tribune reporter Rosemary Brown exposed a legendary tale from local Billy Stewart, a jail detainee who spent days staring out from behind the prison bars and died.

He has been said to be seen periodically staring out from the windows.

Haunted or not, the town is embracing the work put into restoring one of Dade City’s oldest buildings and bringing its history to life, McCarthy said.

“We’re one block away from Seventh Avenue — right in the heart of town — and the whole community is so excited about this,” she said.

“They were so supportive and loving that we just didn’t knock it down and rebuild or make it into something more modern.

“It’s truly a part of Dade City again.”

(Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

Locke Inn
Where: 37739 Robinson Ave., Dade City
Details: The historic two-story building, constructed in 1892, originally was the Pasco County Jail. The structure has been completely renovated into a six-bedroom Airbnb. It can accommodate up to 12 guests and can be rented for weddings, parties and other special events.
Info: Visit LockeInn.com.

Some noteworthy events at Locke Inn/Pasco County Jail (Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)
1892 – The brick jail is constructed and the marker at the Pasco County Jail lists these county commissioners: B.C. Campbell, T.F. Williams, L.S. Bradham, W.H. Haager, J.W. Clark.
Feb. 5, 1901 – A mob killed two black men, Will Wright and Sam Williams, in the jail. About 30 to 50 men broke down the outer door, then opened fire through the steel bars, shooting both prisoners dead.
Dec. 28, 1917 – The second and final public hanging takes place at the Dade City jail. Edgar London, a black man convicted of murdering his wife at Ehren, is executed by Sheriff I.W. Hudson, who sprang the trap door. Hudson was said to be unable to sleep after this execution.
Nov. 14, 1926 – Three inmates escape from the jail by digging a nine-foot tunnel. Their escape was discovered by Sheriff J.W. Hudson while on his usual rounds of the jail.

Published August 09, 2023

Bilirakis receives Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has been recognized for championing seniors’ rights.

He has been awarded the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award from the American Association of Senior Citizens, according to a news release from Bilirakis’ office.

The award acknowledges Bilirakis’ continuous efforts to preserve critical programs that benefit seniors, such as Medicare and Social Security, the release says.

The congressman also championed a wide range of legislative measures aimed to prevent exploitation, enhance supportive services, ensure access to quality care options and provide financial relief for our nation’s seniors.

Bilirakis has been a strong supporter of the Older Americans Act reauthorization, which provides funding to help seniors age independently in their homes, and of the Community Development Block Grant, which funds critical senior programs, such as Meals on Wheels, the release noted.

He has fought to expand and protect access to Medicare Advantage, a flexible option chosen by nearly half of the seniors who reside throughout Florida’s 12th congressional district. Locally, he also recently secured $2 million in federal funds for a senior center in Central Pasco County and has sponsored a community budget project to provide an additional $2 million in funding for affordable senior housing options throughout Pasco County, according to the release.

“It is said that a society can be judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable populations,” Bilirakis said, in the release.

 “As a former elder law attorney, I understand the challenges that many seniors face as they endeavor to age with dignity – and with as much independence as possible. Record inflation has hit seniors particularly hard, which is unfair given that most live on a fixed income. We have to do more to ensure cost of living adjustment more accurately reflects the pressures seniors face and to ensure they have access to high quality care and treatments. I will always continue fighting to ensure a strong safety net to protect all seniors, and I am honored to receive this prestigious award.”

Published August 09, 2023

Habitat for Humanity gets $2 million in state funding

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Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has received $2 million in state funding to address affordable housing needs, according to a Habitat news release.

“This milestone signifies a significant step toward addressing the urgent need for safe and affordable housing within Pinellas and West Pasco Counties,” the release says.

“Habitat partnered with Johnston & Stewart Government Strategies to successfully secure funding in this year’s budget,” it adds.

State Sen. Ed Hooper and House Rep. Kim Berfield sponsored the legislation and championed the cause, according to the release.

The funding will be instrumental in supporting Habitat’s Achieving the Dream of Homeownership project, which aims to construct 92 affordable homeownership units across four subdivisions in Pinellas and Pasco counties, the release adds.

The funding will be allocated toward critical horizontal development activities, including infrastructure development, architectural design, civil engineering, and other associated expenses, the release says.

The appropriation will help Habitat for Humanity to have a substantial impact on the lives of deserving families and will contribute to the overall well-being of our community, the release adds.

Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, reacted to the news this way: “We are overjoyed and deeply grateful for the $2 million state funding allocated to our Achieving the Dream of Homeownership project.

“This remarkable achievement was made possible by the dogged dedication of (State) Sen. Ed Hooper, (State) Rep. Kim Berfield, and all members of the state legislature who championed affordable housing initiatives. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our committed supporters whose tireless efforts have brought us closer to our vision of ensuring everyone has a safe and decent place to call home.

“As we move forward, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties remains determined in its mission to make homeownership dreams a reality for families in need,” he said, in the release.

Published August 09, 2023