ST. PETERSBURG — CEOs from around Tampa Bay are getting together to help build a house for a St. Petersburg family.
Lace Simmons and her two daughters will eventually move into the home thanks to Habitat for Humanity and a host of volunteers.
This year, more than 75 CEOs helped raise $300,000 to sponsor the home build.
And even though it was a rainy day to work, the Simmons family is a step closer to moving in.
“We went from apartment to, you know, renting a home, and so this is gonna be our home. You know, I can pass this down to my daughters. It’s ours. So much more meaningful. So much more real for us,” said Lace Simmons.
“Affordable housing is such an issue for everyone. I think it touches everyone, and you have a family that's so deserving and just needs a little help to cross that last gap to get homeownership. It's a gift. I feel like it's a gift for us to be a part of it,” said Ruth Eckerd Hall CEO Susan Crockett.
Buccaneers Hall of Famer Ronde Barber is also a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside built 81 homes last year.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
