Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough is building Windhorst Commons, a 23-home community in Brandon designed with hurricane-resistant features including concrete block construction, hip roofs, and hurricane shutters. This represents the first Habitat for Humanity project in the area to fully integrate storm-resistant design at this level.

The project recently received attention when Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins toured the site. The community is focused on helping families with the greatest need, particularly veterans, first responders, essential workers, and families affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Homes are being built for families earning less than 80% of the area median income.

One featured family is the Nakamuras, a family of eight. Through Habitat’s Veterans Build program, Brian Nakamura has been working alongside volunteers to help build their new five-bedroom home. Another family, the Ranges, lost nearly everything when their handicap-accessible home was devastated in Hurricane Milton, and Verizon is sponsoring their new hurricane-fortified home.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026. The organization is also requesting $950,000 from state lawmakers during the 2026 legislative session to build six additional affordable homes, with the funding split between land acquisition and construction costs.

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