Nonprofit to bring affordable housing for Manatee County veterans

MANATEE -- Manatee County veterans will soon have more affordable housing options.

Volunteers of America of Florida Inc., a not-for-profit that provides housing and services for homeless veterans and other displaced families, will bring the housing to Manatee County. A bond totaling $4.5 million will be used to convert two buildings with about 13,560 square feet into 12 units for about 20 veterans. The semi-private units will have shared common living space and private bedroom space. The Volunteers of America Project will also provide low-income housing at other locations, the agreement states.

The housing project will be spread among six locations in Bradenton and Palmetto.

The bonds will be used to refinance existing housing in Manatee County and will not be used toward the development of new housing for veterans.

On Tuesday, the commission approved an interlocal agreement with Pinellas County Industrial Development Authority, which will issue industrial development revenue bonds that will be used toward affordable housing for veterans. The bonds will not be a debt obligation of Manatee County.

"They are going to build low-income housing for veterans and other qualified residents," commission Chairwoman Betsy Benac said. "I think that is very good. ... This is a group that has previously done work in Manatee County."

Echoed Commissioner John Chappie: "That is a very good thing."

Don Courtney, president of the Manatee County Veterans Council, said affordable housing for veterans is definitely needed in Manatee County.

"Where is the decent housing for the decent cost?" Courtney asked. "They are just in it for the profit right now. ... We need somewhere, a local place, where people can be referred to, to try to get housing and not just be put on a list."

At a recent Stand Down event for veterans, about 100 veterans were there who "walk in the streets of Manatee County," Courtney said.

"There is no real place that you send them to for affordable housing," he said. "We need a little bit more effort to get them off the streets."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Nonprofit to bring affordable housing for Manatee County veterans ."