TAMPA, Fla. — Vacant lots once owned by the City of Tampa have been awarded to local developers to build affordable housing.

A total of 17 affordable homes are being built through Mayor Castor’s infill housing initiative.

“Even when it comes to affordable houses, you should still give people quality,” said Developer Darrick Fullwood, who is building three homes.

For nearly 30 years, Fullwood has overseen construction projects by his company AAA Restoration and Builders, LLC. 

For him, this latest project is different. He’s back in the same East Tampa Community where he was born and raised with his nine siblings.

He recalls moving from home to home.

“We had hardships so, we kind of moved around a lot so, I lived around this whole area,“ he added.

His understanding of the hardships low-income families face today prompted his company to apply for a bid with the City of Tampa to build affordable houses on East Emma Street and East 32nd Avenue.

“I think the real struggle is even with education behind them, they still don’t feel like they can have home ownership,” said Fullwood.

He says the project is about more than just building homes, but creating generational wealth.

“Through a program such as this, you can create equity at purchase,” he added. 

The program assists applicants with requirements such as credit repair and increasing savings to get additional assistance from the City.

After living in Tampa all of his life, Fullwood says he never anticipated how quickly the market would change over the span of two years. 

“I was really shocked,” he said. “With the inflation of houses and lots, I was a non-believer for too long, evidently.”

According to Zillow, home values in Tampa increased by 31 percent. Zillow reports the inventory of available homes dropped 29.5%.

Fullwood’s company is one of several minority-owned developers that the city-owned lots were distributed to.

“Seeing is believing,” he said, that is an achievement that should be celebrated. 

He added it is important for residents of the predominantly African-American East Tampa community to see minority developers. 

“Often times people who look like me, who struggled and grew up like me, don’t have the opportunity to get exposure,” said Fullwood. 

He encourages youth to learn about trades like contracting and building. 

“Young people, being able to see a black man like me own a company, is inspirational,” said Fullwood. 

Fullwood expects the homes to be completed by the fall. 

Income eligible home buyers will have to go through an application process with the city.