SPHA Team Shows Community Spirit by Volunteering on Habitat for Humanity House
PINELLAS COUNTY, FL (JUNE 23, 2023) - On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, a team from the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) will join hands with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties to assist with construction on a safe and sustainable home for a deserving family. Creating opportunities for stronger communities is SPHA's goal, and this volunteer effort is a concrete example of SPHA's commitment to service.
"We believe that a strong community starts with safe and stable housing," said Michael Lundy, SPHA President and Chief Executive Officer. "By volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, our team aims to go the extra mile in making a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most."
The Roldan-Lozano family will be the new homeowners. Edwin Roldan is an Assembler for Magic Tilt Trailers Inc. He and his wife, Yanitza Lozano, are eager to complete their forever Home through the Habitat program. They are the proud parents of a son, Jenseph (age 13), and daughters Yairmariz (age 16) and Edilian (age 16). "We are a humble family that believes in working for what we want," said Edwin.
In 2015 the family came to Florida from Puerto Rico, looking for opportunity but finding barriers to housing. "We came here and lived with my sister-in-law in a trailer," said Edwin. "I found work at a boat trailer factory. No experience, no idea of what to do. But I knew I would figure it out because I needed to provide for my family." Three years later, the family was still seeking a safer, more permanent housing solution. "We continued to push forward, but with every passing day I see our mobile home deteriorating and we cannot be there much longer," said Edwin. That is when a co-worker told him about the Habitat program. He and his wife decided to apply. "When we were accepted into the program we felt eternally grateful and knew this was the blessing needed in our lives," said Edwin.
"We feel relieved and blessed and are eager to work for our home. This is about working hard," Edwin told Habitat. "We will finally have a safe place of our own. A place where we will create many great memories for years and years to come for us and our children and their future families one day."
SPHA is proud to help build the Roldan-Lozano family's forever home and to support Habitat for Humanity as a community partner. However, this is not the first time that the two agencies have collaborated. Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties regularly works with SPHA's Social Services staff, together providing several pathways to homeownership for SPHA-assisted residents.
To learn more about SPHA's housing programs and services, visit www.stpeteha.org or call 727-323-3171.
Photo of the Roldan-Lozano family.
###
ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF PINELLAS AND WEST PASCO COUNTIES:
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a part of a global nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God's love into action by building homes, communities and hope. For more information, visit www.habitatpwp.org.
ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.