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Bay County officials are donating land to combat the ongoing housing shortage

Scott and Sheila Collett stand in front of the home that they recently purchased, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, in Valrico, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP
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FR121174 AP
Scott and Sheila Collett stand in front of the home that they recently purchased, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, in Valrico, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Commissioners are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to complete the project.

Bay County commissioners are giving away eight vacant lots to Habitat for Humanity to help families in need.

At Tuesday’s County meeting, Commissioner Doug Moore said he hopes this will bring more affordable housing to the area.

“I’m glad that we have organizations like that in our community that continue to lean into and work with the citizens of this community to improve it," said Commissioner Moore.

The eight additional parcels are in rural areas of the county and have been off the tax rolls for over 50 years.

Since 1990, Habitat for Humanity has built 79 homes for low-income families throughout the county and donating the properties to Habitat, would help further the mission of the organization and address the ongoing housing shortage in the area.

"Our work is putting families into affordable housing, which is one of the biggest needs in Bay County," Habitat for Humanity of Bay County Executive Director Angela Klopf said.

"The land donation is a godsend to us and something that's really valuable. Its going to lay the foundation for eight families."

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.