Manatee needs affordable housing. Officials hit the ‘jackpot’ with two new projects
County officials hit the affordable housing “jackpot” as they approved a pair of projects aimed at filling a much-needed gap in local housing stock.
The Manatee Board of County Commissioners gave the green light to two separate affordable housing projects at Thursday’s Land Use meeting. In total, officials approved 32 new units for low-income residents.
At a recent meeting hosted by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, state Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg, spoke to the importance of affordable housing in Florida, and said local officials have to “get out of the way” to make it easier for low-income developments to succeed.
Three days later, the county commission demonstrated its willingness to cut that red tape by allowing projects to go forward. Commissioners recently approved changes to the Land Development Code that offer more incentives for developers to create affordable housing, such as fee refunds, expedited permitting and a density bonus.
“We have not had two affordable housing projects at the same meeting in a long time,” said Commissioner Carol Whitmore. “We need to find more.”
Habitat for Humanity presented the first project, an infill development that will bring 16 single-family homes to Samoset. The 3-acre lot used to be tomato farm owned by the Poling family along the eastern edge of 32nd Avenue East.
According to Manatee Habitat for Humanity CEO Diana Shoemaker, the family reached out to her organization seeking to turn the lot into obtainable housing. A $700,000 community fundraiser began in 2017 to help fund the development.
“We’re always so excited when Habitat does a project because you always do a good job,” said Commissioner Misty Servia.
“It’s what we need more of, and we appreciate your hard work all over the county,” Commissioner Stephen Jonsson added.
On top of building new houses and promoting home ownership, Shoemakers says Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to stablizing communities with rehabilitation programs. The nonprofit has built similar affordable subdivisions in Washington Park, Palmetto and Ellenton. Shoemaker says her team is working on another in Bradenton, as well.
In the Whitfield neighborhood, commissioners also approved a multi-family apartment complex slated to provide 64 units, with 16 of them priced in the affordable housing range.
The Whitfield Preserve apartments will be built on a 9-acre parcel to the southeast of Whitfield Park in the 7200 block of 12th Street East.
“It’s dense, but we need affordable housing,” Servia said.“This is always a balancing act, but I’m pleased.”
According to the preliminary site plan, the developer will have to work with the county to improve the road paving along the entrance and help install a sidewalk for children to walk to the neighboring Abel Elementary School.
“To me, it’s a good infill. To me, two affordable housing projects in a row. We hit the jackpot today,” Whitmore said.
Under state law, the cost of rental units and single-family homes is limited to a certain percentage of the average median income in the area. Homes sell for around $170,000 and apartment units cost about $800 a month.
