RUSKIN, Fla. — June is National Homeownership Month, and Hillsborough County has contributed $700,000 toward affordable housing in Ruskin.

A local educator is now achieving her dream of homeownership thanks to the Florida Home Partnership non-profit.

“We would love it for her to grow up in a home,” Scotti Hovell says about her four-month-old daughter named Lilly. “I was like, 'Where am I going to have her walk,' because our apartment is so small.” 

The Hillsborough County teacher says after living in a rental with her husband, a 12-year-old with special needs, and her newborn, they have outgrown that space. 

She says they’ve been priced out of every home they attempted to purchase. 

“We’ve been trying to get a home for the last couple of years, but it wasn’t working with the home prices going up,” she said.

She says things are finally looking up for her family. 

They signed up for the Florida Home Partnership program and are in the process of getting a four-bedroom, two-bath home in Sunset at Bayou Pass Village in Ruskin. 

The mother of two says the house is more affordable because of how it was built. 

Throughout the community, each roof is made of metal and has solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances to help residents keep their energy bills low. 

Scotti says she wasn’t just looking for a new home, but a community. 

She attended a groundbreaking celebration for her soon-to-be neighbors hosted by Florida Home Partnership. 

The non-profit home builder is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. 

More than a thousand families have achieved the dream of homeownership through their self-help programs. 

“We’re hard-working and we want to work towards it and it's finally happening,” said Scotti.

Another self-help community is being built by Florida Home Partnership in Wimauma.

Thirty-eight townhomes will be available for occupancy.