Sustainable Building Grant Used to Build Largo Home

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County is one of 10 affiliates nationally selected to participate in a new sustainable building grant program sponsored by Nissan.

The $380,000 program consists of cash and vehicle donations, with each of the recipients getting $15,000 and a Nissan Frontier truck. 

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas was selected out of 1,527 nationwide.

The money in Pinellas was used to sponsor the construction of an Energy Star rated home on Ridge Road NW in Largo.

Mayor Pat Gerard and City Commissioner Michael Smith will participate in the home dedication and presentation of the keys to the Soto Family at 1:30 p.m. Sunday (April 1).

Shirley Miaoulis, district representative for the Office of Congressman C. W. Bill Young, will present the Soto family with an American flag that was flown over the US Capitol. The recently donated Nissan truck will also be on site.

This new grant program challenges Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build smarter by minimizing their environmental impact. The cash grant will help build one new energy-efficient home that meets Energy Star 3.0 standards and contains earth-friendly and recycled building products.

The Nissan sustainable building grant program is part of a renewed $2.5 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. Nissan’s vision is for all its stakeholders to participate in the partnership, using point-of-sale materials in dealerships and Nissan media communications to inform employees and customers of Habitat volunteer opportunities.

Nissan’s partnership with Habitat dates to 2005, when Nissan donated 50 Titan trucks to assist Habitat’s hurricane response efforts in the Gulf Coast, while mobilizing employees to assist in home building.