Habitat homeowner receives a blessing

The latest recipient of Habitat for Humanity's efforts got blessings from three different faiths Sunday afternoon before she was handed the keys to her new home.

The "interfaith" house was built by volunteers from across the religious spectrum: Christians, Jews and Muslims. The result was a new home for Tiffani Miller, a Pinellas County teacher, and her 9-year-old daughter.

"I am just thrilled, overjoyed, excited and blessed," Miller said after she received the keys. She said owning a house in this economy was more than she could have hoped for when she signed papers with Habitat for Humanity in May.

The home was built in the Habitat Pinellas Clearwater subdivision called Stevens Creek.

Pastor Donna Oberkreser of Central Christian Church, Rabbi Daniel Treiser of Temple B'nai Israel and Anas Alqhazzi, of the Islamic Society of Pinellas County, offered the blessings on Sunday.

Members of the three faiths worked side-by-side to finance and build the house.

The Stevens Creek house is part of a proposed 51-unit subdivision being built by Habitat Pinellas on the former Homer Villas public housing site.

Stevens Creek is at 1845 North Betty Lane at the southwest corner of Sunset Point Road and North Betty Lane in Clearwater.

Miller also helped build her new home. She is a former church secretary and youth minister. She teaches at Campbell Park Elementary School in St. Petersburg.

The project's success has organizers optimistic that an "interfaith house" can be built once a year.

"Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes, but there is another outcome that receives little attention — the camaraderie and relationships that people build when volunteering on something so tangible," said Steve Lightburn, vice president of development for Habitat Pinellas.

"Having different faiths working harmoniously for a common purpose is inspirational," he said.

Miller praised the work of the volunteers.

"I think it was a great opportunity for the community and religion to come together," she said. "Everybody came out to work together."