Stantec-designed Habitat for Humanity townhome community welcomes first 15 families
Longlake Preserve is a 54-home community purchased by Habitat Homeowner Families
03/24/2025 LARGO, FL TSX, NYSE:STN
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, recently joined Habitat for Humanity to celebrate the opening of the Longlake Preserve community, welcoming the first 15 families to the affordable townhome community on the Clearwater-Largo border. Stantec provided engineering services, subdivision design, wetland preservation, and permitting services; G2 Design provided architecture services.
Longlake Preserve is being built in five phases with the first two phases now finished and ready for families to move in. Phases three and four are already under construction. When complete, the community will feature 52 townhomes and two single-family homes, each purchased with zero percent interest mortgage by families that complete the Habitat for Humanity program.
“There is nothing quite like the joy of being able to give back to your community in a meaningful way,” said Lorrie Viola, senior planner at Stantec. “It’s an honor for our team to have played a part in creating this beautiful neighborhood that families will enjoy for years to come.”
The new homeowners were joined at a block party by family and friends, elected officials, community supporters, Habitat for Humanity staff, and home sponsors as they opened their front doors for the first time. Home sponsors for the first two phases include WestCMR, the 2024 Habitat Women Build, and Dan and Carolyn Stowers.
“This neighborhood is a great example of what can be achieved when our community comes together to help deserving families realize the dream of homeownership,” said Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside. “Thanks to the strong partnerships we have in the public and private sectors, the first 15 families are now in their forever homes. We are excited for them and look forward to celebrating with their future neighbors as we continue to build at Longlake Preserve.”
A testament to public-private partnerships
Longlake Preserve is being completed as a public-private partnership. This development was made possible with involvement from the State of Florida, Pinellas County Government, the City of Largo, and G2 Design. State officials secured $2 million from the 2023-24 state budget to assist Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to build more affordable homes, including Longlake Preserve. This was also the first Habitat development to receive funding from Penny for Pinellas. These partnerships turned the vision of Longlake Preserve into a reality and will give 54 families a place to call home.
Explore Stantec’s residential capabilities and Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s building impact.
About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.
We are a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more.
Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.
We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.
Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.
About Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has served over 900 homeowner partners since 1985. In 2025, Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside celebrates 40 years of impact and will dedicate its 1000th home this summer.
The affiliate serves Pinellas, West Pasco, and Hernando Counties. Volunteers and future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. Candidates must demonstrate the need for adequate shelter, the ability to pay back a zero-interest loan, and the willingness to partner with Habitat to complete a robust homebuyer education curriculum and invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours.
Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that homeownership contributes to family stability, leading, in turn, to community stability. For more information, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitattbg.org.
Media Contact
Ben Carter
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: (813) 326-9221
ben.carter@stantec.com
Mary McAnnally
Stantec Media Relations
mary.mcannally@stantec.com
Client Contact
Morgan Mandelker
Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside Chief External Relations Officer
(727) 536-4755, ext. 203 | (727) 512-3781
mmandelker@habitattbg.org
