Community Corner

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay Receives Grant from Wells Fargo

The money will be used to revitalize a Tampa Heights neighborhood.

From Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay:

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay received $300,000 Grant from Wells Fargo to support revitalization of the Tampa Heights Neighborhood.

This historic neighborhood just one mile from downtown was not an exception when the housing market crashed and experienced high volume of foreclosures which is still reflected throughout its streets with boarded houses and empty grassy lots.

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With the support from Wells Fargo through a $300,000 grant awarded to Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB), changes are about to come to this community which residents are eagerly awaiting.

RTTB plans to leverage the funds to complete the rehab of a least 25 homes; acquire, rehab and sell to first-time home buyers at least five bank-owned houses; and aid in the rehabilitation process of the Junior Civic Association's future headquarters located on Palm Avenue which is scheduled to open by the end of summer 2013. This effort intends to spark economic development opportunities in the community, including bringing new residents and increasing businesses throughout the commercial corridors.

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"The months ahead are going to be very busy for us and for Tampa Heights' residents," said Jose Garcia, executive director. "We are calling all our partners and sponsors to help us reach our goals while making a positive impact in this community and giving their employees, associates and members a team-building opportunity that will last for years which will be reflected in the improvements made on homes and streets."

On Feb. 11, Wells Fargo announced it was awarding a total of $800,000 in local initiative grants to six nonprofits who actively support affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization efforts in Tampa.

The announcement was made in a joint press conference with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn in front of one of the homes that will benefit from the grant to RTTB. The grants are part of the $7 million commitment to the City of Tampa through Wells Fargo's NeighborhoodLIFTSM program, which also includes down payment assistance. 

RTTB's staff has already begun identifying potential recipients of services and will gradually update its website with stories about homeowners and progress made throughout the year, especially those completed by our sponsors and volunteers. This project is scheduled to be completed in approximately one year.

For more information about sponsoring or volunteering with RTTB, please contact Jose Garcia at (813) 878-9000 or by email at jgarcia@rttb.org.


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