Milestone marks more than 25 years of education and advocacy, empowering Latinos across the country
TAMPA, FL — Today, UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, joined local Affiliate organizations, community leaders and families to mark its achievement of helping 50,000 Latino and low- to moderate-income families to become homeowners. This major milestone is a result of more than 25 years of UnidosUS Affiliate-led homeownership education and support through federally certified housing counselors and community partnerships. Local families who were assisted in the homeownership journey by Tampa-based UnidosUS Affiliate Housing and Education Alliance joined the celebration.
“For generations, owning a home has been a cornerstone of the American Dream and a foundation for stability, security and building generational wealth,” said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía. “Yet for too many Latino families, that dream has remained out of reach. At UnidosUS, we believe that every hardworking family deserves a fair shot at prosperity, and that begins with access to safe, affordable homeownership. Especially during these times of economic uncertainty and rising housing costs, our mission to support Latino families on their path to homeownership is more urgent than ever. Helping 50,000 families become homeowners is not just a number — it’s a testament to what’s possible when community and opportunity come together.”
For more than 25 years, UnidosUS and its nationwide Affiliate Network has provided homeownership education and counseling to low and moderate-income families, including thousands of Latino families. These federally certified housing counselors and trusted community partnerships play a critical role in opening the door to homeownership — especially for those individuals and families who may have thought it was out of reach.
“Homeownership remains the most powerful tool for building intergenerational wealth, and for Latino families, each home purchased represents a turning point in that journey — from surviving to thriving,” said Housing and Education Alliance Founder and Executive Director Sylvia Alvarez. ”This milestone aligns with HUD’s recent emphasis on increasing equitable homeownership, especially among first-time buyers. In the Tampa housing market where median home prices have risen nearly 35% since 2020, the ability of Latino families to become homeowners is not only inspiring — it’s proof that targeted support systems work.”
KEY DATA:
Tampa was chosen to mark this milestone because of the significant growth in Latino homeownership in the area in recent years:
- From 2021 and 2023, the number of Latino families that became homeowners grew by nearly 6% in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metro Area, bringing the total to 139,507 Hispanic homeowner households.
- Yet gaps remain — the homeownership rate for Latino-headed households in Tampa is 59.9% compared to 67.9% for all households.
- Tampa Bay’s population has grown by 7% over the last five years. This makes housing access and education more critical than ever.
This event is part of UnidosUS’s 2025 strategy to protect and expand health and economic security for working families, including Latino communities. In Florida and across the country, UnidosUS will continue to work with its Affiliates and partners to create spaces for conversation and action — ensuring that public policies reflect the realities and needs of the people who rely on them most.
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