About Us

TBNHS

Mission Statement

To Improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods which it serves by promoting revitalization through Home Ownership, Rehabilitation, Economic Development and Education

History

Established in 1979, Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services (TBNHS) – formerly known as Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services – provides communities across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties a selection of essential services, including education and homeownership assistance, credit counseling, property rehabilitation, real estate development, and other community economic development services. The seeds for TBNHS were planted by a group of concerned residents seeking to address the decline of Clearwater’s South Greenwood neighborhood, which at the time had more than 6,600 residents and some of the most historic homes in the city.

After fulfilling its mission through homeownership counseling, housing, and small business development, as well as rehabilitation, TBNHS continued advancing its commitment to local communities and enhancing its lending capabilities by partnering with the U.S.
Small Business Administration as a microloan lender in 1999. Today, TBNHS serves the tri-county Tampa Bay area, where it continues strengthening local communities through partnership development. Powering this commitment is TBNHS President and CEO Frank Cornier, who is providing the organization with focused leadership. In addition, the TBNHS Board of Directors, consisting of residents and business leaders who are fully engaged in the organization, fuels the ongoing success of TBNHS by cultivating pivotal partnerships across Tampa Bay and beyond.

Mr. Paul Hatchett, a retired Pinellas County educator living in CNHS’ first neighborhood, South Greenwood, was responsible for bringing the NHS concept to Clearwater. This outreach began after he read in a magazine how an NHS in another state was helping that challenging community achieve neighborhood revitalization.It then went from there with him. He started getting concerned citizens together which included neighborhood residents, local activists, NRC reps (now NA), City reps, and banks, who all were interested in the idea for the NHS startup and the support of Mr. Hatchett’s vision for neighborhood change. He wanted to make sure that it started in his South Greenwood neighborhood. So to explore the idea further, the assembled group went on a retreat to Crystal River, FL in 1978 for a broader discussion for a couple of days and came back with the agreement to start this corporation in 1979. It was named Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Incorporated, and became one of NRC’s first Florida affiliates through this process. There was no “Founder Director”. Once the board of directors and committees were in place, they hired an Executive Director in 1979. In this order the management leadership has taken place:

Mr. J. Gilbert (1979-1983)
Mr. G. Schwartz (1983-1988)
Mr. E. Brayboy (1989-1990)
Ms. I. Gulley(1990-6/30/21 Retired)
Ms. J. Aldridge(7/1/21-11/28/21 Interim Director)
Mr. Frank Cornier(11/29/21 to present).

A History of Highlights

1979

Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (CNHS) is established in Clearwater, Florida, to revitalize the South Greenwood neighborhood.

1983

CNHS adds small business development and lending programs to its growing list of services.

1990

The organization expands its reach to include the North Greenwood community.

1991

CNHS starts its Infill Housing Program.

1994

CNHS becomes the first neighborhood housing service in Florida to receive its charter from NeighborWorks America.

1997

Tarpon Springs is added to the communities serviced by CNHS.

1999

CNHS extends its lending capacity by partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

2003

Financial giant Bank of America partners with CNHS to renovate 225 rental units known as the Palmetto Park Apartments, a struggling, high-crime community. CNHS leads the charge to change these conditions, resulting in a $14.3 million partnership.