Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground on 26 Three-Bedroom Townhomes in St. Pete

• Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside has started work on Lealman Heights, a 26-townhome affordable homeownership development.
• The project at 4000 58th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida, will feature three-bedroom homes of approximately 1,500 square feet.
• Homes are expected to be priced between $240,000 and $280,000, based on eligible buyers’ incomes.
• The estimated $10 million development received $2.29 million from Pinellas County, which placed the land in a community land trust to preserve affordability.

What Habitat for Humanity Is Building in Lealman

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside has broken ground on Lealman Heights, bringing 26 new townhomes to a site across from Lealman Elementary School in Pinellas County. The two-story homes will each include three bedrooms and a garage. At approximately 1,500 square feet, the residences are designed to offer families an affordable path to homeownership in the Tampa Bay region. The townhomes are part of a larger planned 57-home community that also includes 31 single-family houses. The project transforms underutilized land into residential housing while adding to Habitat’s ongoing work in the Lealman neighborhood.

What the $10 Million Project Means for Homebuyers

Lealman Heights is expected to cost approximately $10 million to build, with Pinellas County contributing $2.29 million toward the development. Homes are expected to sell for $240,000 to $280,000, depending on household income. Eligible buyers must meet Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership requirements, including completing at least 100 hours of sweat equity, attending homeowner education courses and meeting credit standards. The program is intended for households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income, opening a route to ownership for families who may struggle to compete in the conventional housing market.

What the Community Land Trust Means for Affordability

A central feature of the project is Pinellas County’s decision to place the property in a community land trust. The structure helps preserve long-term affordability by separating land ownership from the homeownership arrangement and applying restrictions designed to keep homes accessible to qualifying buyers over time. For local housing stakeholders, this approach offers an alternative to relying solely on market-rate construction. Public funding and land stewardship help make lower purchase prices possible while supporting lasting affordability. Pinellas County has also used land trusts and other housing programs to support affordable homeownership and workforce housing across the region. Lealman Heights fits within that broader strategy of converting underused properties into homes for local households.

What Comes Next for Lealman Heights

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside is developing the project with G2 Design and High Point Engineering among the project team. Infrastructure work has begun, while vertical construction on the townhomes is anticipated to start in summer 2027 and finish in 2028. For real estate investors and local property owners, Lealman Heights demonstrates how nonprofit developers, county funding and land-trust structures can bring new housing to established neighborhoods. The project’s broader significance is its focus on creating attainable ownership opportunities while ensuring affordability extends beyond the initial sale.