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Weather Dampens Turnout, Not Enthusiasm

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Ronald Whitfield, state director of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, talks with visitors about the importance of the Florida Home Partnership's Self-Help Housing Program at the South Shore Home & Healthy Families Expo 2008. At right are Charlie Aguirre, who represents U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez's Tampa office) and Bill Armstrong, acting director of Hillsborough County Affordable Housing.

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By LOIS KINDLE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

GIBSONTON - Mother Nature wasn't cooperative June 21 for the Florida Home Partnership's South Shore Home & Healthy Families Expo 2008.

Rainy weather limited the crowd to about 150 people for the five-hour event at East Bay High School, but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the organizers and exhibitors.

"We worked very hard to reach our goal of 500 attendees, but we're not disappointed," said Melinda Dale of the Florida Home Partnership. "Many of the people we talked with and our vendors said it was a positive outreach and they'll be back for the next one."

Will there be a next one?

"We're looking at a number of options," Dale said. "We may want to partner with other organizations and look at scheduling and advertising. But there probably will."

One of the highlights of the day was a check presentation by Ron G. Whitfield, state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Department of Rural Development. The agency gave the Florida Home Partnership $1.5 million.

"We are very grateful for the funding," said Earl Pfeiffer, executive director of the nonprofit. "We will use it to pay for administrative support for the next 84 homes we build in the Hidden Creek subdivision in Wimauma. It'll cover rent, operational expenses, payroll and other costs that allow us to run our organization."

The partnership is under contract to provide affordable, self-help housing to low- and moderate-income families in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

With a theme of "A Better Life Begins at Home," the expo gave area residents the opportunity to attend seven workshops on budgeting; energy efficiency and green living; foreclosure prevention, hurricane preparedness and recovery; identity theft; insurance; and mortgage assistance.

Thirty-two vendors and exhibitors displayed their products and services, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations and area businesses. Many gave away items and handouts, as representatives answered questions.

At the end of the day, visitors who attended at least two workshops and 15 exhibits were eligible to win a $100 gas card. Throughout the day, six $50 gas cards and other prizes were given away.

"This is a great event," said Joan Dale of Apollo Beach. "I'm here to support the Florida Home Partnership and the wonderful work they do in the community."

The Tampa Tribune was among the sponsors of the expo.

FLORIDA HOME PARTNERSHIP

WHAT: Nonprofit housing developer that provides affordable housing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Mutual Self-Help Housing Program; allows first-time homebuyers to exchange 600 hours of unskilled and semiskilled labor for a down payment on their home.

HEADQUARTERS: Ruskin Community Service Center, 201 14th Ave. S.E., Suite H

FOUNDED: 1993, as Homes for Hillsborough

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Earl Pfeiffer

PROJECTS: Bayou Pass Village, Ruskin; Hidden Creek, Wimauma; Sunset Hill, Dade City

INFORMATION: (813) 672-7889 or (813) 672-7860, www.flhome.org

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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