This is the first “veterans build” home that Hillsborough Habitat for Humanity has undertaken.

TAMPA – Nearly 12 weeks after the first veteran volunteers arrived at the construction site to begin building a home for a fellow veteran, the first Habitat for Humanity “veterans build” home in Hillsborough County is finished.

U.S. Army veteran Adam Damewood and his wife, Nanci, received the key to the completed house on Feb. 22 from Bill Goede, Bank of America’s Tampa Bay president. Bank of America is a key partner in Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County’s ongoing “Veterans Initiative” program, which includes Veterans Build new home construction and home preservation projects throughout the year for low-income homeowners.

During all phases of construction, which officially began Nov. 12, volunteers from several veterans groups and employees of Bank of America contributed more than 1,000 hours to help build the home.The Mission Continues, the Wounded Warrior Project and Team Rubicon were among the veterans groups that worked at the veterans build site. A team of active duty servicemen and women from MacDill Air Force Base also volunteered for the veterans build.

“While Bank of America is a longtime partner of Habitats across the country, the veteran build program with Habitat of Hillsborough is particularly meaningful to us. We have many active and retired military employees as well as Tampa Bay being the home of MacDill Air Force Base,” Goede said. “We are so happy to be a part of bringing stable housing to the Damewoods and appreciate Adam’s service to our country.”

The Damewoods completed 375 sweat equity hours on Habitat build sites in lieu of a down payment and attended 10 homeowner preparation classes as required by their agreement with Habitat Hillsborough. After the dedication ceremony, the Damewoods signed their closing documents to purchase their affordable mortgage before moving into the home.

“Having the opportunity to move into a secure home that my spouse, Nanci, and I can afford, without constant worry about housing or financial instability, provides us the foundation where we can thrive and focus on our future goals,” Damewood said. “I would like to express my gratitude to the home sponsors for not only sponsoring our home build, but for their continued dedication toward helping provide opportunities for other veterans in need of assistance.”

The home was built on land in the Ybor City area donated to Habitat Hillsborough by the city of Tampa. Other veterans build partners include Hancock Whitney, Robert and Sara Poore in honor of veteran Raymond Brown, Disabled Veterans National Foundation and Johnson & Johnson Technology.

Photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County.

Habitat for Humanity | Veterans Build | Tampabay News

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