Housing glut makes used homes an option for Habitat for Humanity

ST. PETERSBURG - Habitat for Humanity is known for building affordable houses for people who wouldn't otherwise own their own, but the glut of abandoned and foreclosed homes in the bay area has them making the best of a bad situation.

The St. Petersburg chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) calls it "re-habitat." The non-profit organization purchased and refurbished eight bank-owned homes last year and sold them at cost to qualifying families.

"It makes sense right now" said HFH Chief Operation Officer, Ron Spoor. A typical new home costs the non-profit just over $100,000 according to Spoor. Rehabbing an existing home is usually a cheaper alternative.

On a sweltering Monday morning, Tasha Simmons was caulking a door frame at a nearly completed new home on Yale Street in St. Petersburg. Simmons is putting in the required hours of work to qualify for her own HRH home when it becomes available.

When asked if she had a preference of new or used, she said, " No not really. I mean it's quicker to get into a refurbished, so that's alright with me".

Spoor showed us a recently purchased three bedroom home in St. Petersburg that had already been designated for another single mother of two. The house had soiled carpet, dingy paint and cheap light fixtures, but seemed structurally sound.

"It's not much to you and me, but for her, it's a palace" said Spoor.

HRH will continue to build new houses. The insurance and utility costs are usually lower over time making it more affordable for the resident.