Triple Dedication To Honor New Habitat For Humanity Homeowners

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — On Friday, Oct. 23rd, three families will celebrate the completion of the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program by receiving the keys to new homes in Town & Country Villas.

The Bishop, Wise and Kopp families partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties to build their homes, which they will purchase with zero percent interest mortgages.

Town & Country Villas is at the center of Habitat’s West Pasco revitalization initiative to bring affordable housing to deserving families in the New Port Richey area. This two-block area had previously been known as one of the busiest for illegal activity in Pasco County and many of the home sites were occupied by the homeless.

Since 2018, Habitat for Humanity has removed 15 dilapidated structures and purchased 110 lots, ranging from $2,500 to $65,000, in the Van Doren Avenue and Leisure Lane neighborhood west of U.S. 19.

The first Habitat for Humanity Home was completed in April 2019. After the triple dedication on Friday, Habitat will have built eight new homes within Town & Country Villas.

“Our redevelopment efforts on Van Doren Avenue and Leisure Lane will change the course of the neighborhood, and we look forward to continuing our revitalization initiatives throughout the county," said Mike Sutton, president & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.

Habitat homeownership partner families must demonstrate a need for adequate shelter, the ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours.

The soon-to-be homeowners also completed 20 homeowner education classes, from budgeting to how to be a good neighbor, to preparing for their new chapter as homeowners.

Typically, the community is invited to join the new homeowner at the home dedication in person. Due to the pandemic, Habitat invites supporters to tune in virtually via the dedication Facebook Live stream.

Soon-to-be homeowner Jessica Bishop is a regulatory specialist, receptionist and back-up phlebotomist, who is raising her two children, Jazzmin and Jaeden.

“This is a great accomplishment for me," Bishop said. "My children will have privacy to grow as young teens, and this will be an asset as young adults.”

Amanda Wise, mother of two, has been a preschool teacher for 22 years. As she prepares to become a homeowner, she said, “I am building because I want something that will be mine – something built for my kids and me. My house will be a fresh start.”

Stephen Kopp is one of Habitat's 2020 Veteran Build homeowner partners. He is a U.S. Army veteran who has been working toward his goal of owning his first home. Although he is retired, he is always doing what he can to help others, which is a reason he enjoys volunteering with Habitat.

“My home will be my key to a happier and healthier life. Everyone should have a home to live in where you are free, safe and content," he said.

Local community partners sponsored all three of the families’ home builds. Publix Super Markets Charities sponsored the Wise family home, while Gramatica Family Foundation, One Community Now and Rotary Club of New Port Richey sponsored the Habitat Veteran’s Build for the Kopp family.

Among those planning to attend the dedication at 9 a.m. are state Sen. Ed Hooper, Pasco County Commissioners Jack Mariano and Kathryn Starkey, and New Port Richey City Manager Debbie Manns.

Habitat for Humanity currently has 11 homes under construction throughout Pasco County.