Creating a Livable Manatee County one family at a time
By Rowena Elliott, Affordable Housing Coordinator
The ongoing pandemic and increasing cost of living have created real financial challenges for many people in our community. We’ve seen more families displaced than in any other time in history.
Affordable housing solutions are more important than ever.
Through Manatee County’s Community and Veterans Services Department (CVS), we’re implementing a wide range of housing and community development programs designed to enhance housing opportunities for low and moderate-income families and individuals who are residents of Manatee County.
This includes programs targeted at organizations that help create affordable housing as well as programs for local families and individuals who own or are looking to buy a home.
Affordable Housing Development
Through our Affordable Housing Incentive Program, we’re partnering with organizations and developers to develop more affordable units to meet the vastly growing needs of our community. The need is great for both single-family and multi-family rental units.
Sandpiper Place in Bradenton is the result of one such partnership. This affordable housing development has 92 units of 2- and 3-bedroom apartment homes. The development was completed by Blue Sky Communities, a local Tampa-based Real Estate Developer of Affordable and Workforce Housing, in partnership with Manatee County Government and other organizations.
Community Development Block Grant
Each year, Manatee County allocates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to accomplish a wide range of community development activities for revitalizing neighborhoods, encouraging economic development, and improving community facilities and services.
The program helps community organizations implement projects that benefit low- or moderate-income residents within eligible areas of Manatee County. CDBG is an important tool to tackle the challenges facing our communities, and it has made a difference in the lives of millions of families nationwide.
Applications for CDBG funds are due annually in March or April. Manatee County held its grant application workshop on March 1, 2022, via Zoom. The workshop was a success.
Down Payment Assistance
Manatee County has State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funding available for very-low-, low- and moderate-income households to assist with down payment and closing costs for properties purchased in unincorporated Manatee County and the City of Palmetto.
Manatee County’s 2022 down payment assistance program opened on February 7. Assistance is provided in the form of a 0%, deferred interest loan for a term of 30 years, due and payable should the homeowner sell, lease, transfer title, or otherwise vacate the property. Learn more about this program.
Homeowner Replacement and Rehabilitation
Manatee County provides code-related repairs to eligible homesteaded homeowners in unincorporated Manatee County and the City of Palmetto through our random drawing selection process.
If the total repair cost exceeds the current allowable maximum, the homeowner’s residence can be replaced.
Assistance of a 0%, deferred interest loan for a term of 30 years, due and payable should the homeowner sell, lease, transfer title, or otherwise vacate the property. Manatee County is not currently accepting entry forms for its random drawing process, but you can learn more about this program on our website.
Over the last three years, Manatee County has expended over $1.5 million through its Housing Development and Community Service programs to facilitate services and down payment assistance for our residents.
