Bradenton Housing Authority joins fight against Manatee County homelessness

BRADENTON -- Beginning a home ownership program at the Bradenton Housing Authority was one of the biggest goals for Executive Director Ellis Mitchell Jr. when he was hired 13 months ago to resurrect an agency mired in scandal after former Executive Director Wenston DeSue and former projects manager Stephany West sent the agency spiraling into a $500,000 debt.

DeSue and West were convicted of theft of federal funds in September. DeSue was sentenced to serve one year and a day in federal prison while West received five years probation.

Mitchell's cost-cutting measures over the last year saved the agency about $100,000.

Mitchell's goal is to save that much every year to fund a home ownership program. The program allows the agency to purchase and renovate homes in low-income neighborhoods and give families what would likely be their only opportunity to own a home. The BHA would be the mortgage owner.

Mitchell said he plans to make homelessness the agency's No. 1 priority in all public housing programs.

"I'm recommending that we make that our preference now," Mitchell said. "Homeless families are apt to stay in public housing longer rather than someone from the neighborhood. The turnaround on these units cost a lot of money and some of these people get into public housing and suddenly aren't so happy and leave."

Mitchell said a homeless family would have more appreciation for the helping hand and use the system in the way it is designed.

There's a growing understanding the face of homelessness is changing in Manatee County.

A burgeoning population of families with children, often with working family members who can't afford the high cost of housing, is forcing a shift in how the county, state and nation combat homelessness.

Housing-first initiatives are spreading through the country and trying to gain traction in Manatee County. The initiative eliminates all requirements placed on the homeless in favor of housing them first and then offering a support system for other issues.

The program has shown success, but skepticism remains and no program can control certain human behaviors, officials say.

BHA Commissioner Bonnie Belford said the reality is: "Some people are just prone to moving. They search for whatever they are searching for and you can never pinpoint it because for each individual, the reason for the move is different."

BHA Chairman Napoleon Mills said homelessness should be the agency's top priority.

"But do we really know they stay longer?" Mills asked. "I like the idea of doing something. Homelessness really bothers me, especially when it involves children. You see them stacked inside a car and don't have a place to live."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 6:34 PM with the headline "Bradenton Housing Authority joins fight against Manatee County homelessness ."