Manatee millennials present to commission about housing on Tuesday

MANATEE -- When it comes to housing for Manatee County millennials, low cost, proximity to work and nearby activities are among the most important factors, according to a survey of 130 Manatee Young Professionals.

During Tuesday's Manatee County Commission work session, the MYP survey results were announced as part of a presentation on affordable and workforce housing issue.

The work session was the second of a three-part series on, "All Things Housing," developed by the county Neighborhood Services Department to allow the commission to "meet with experts to discuss affordable and workforce housing in Manatee County," according to agenda materials.

The final work session is scheduled March 15.

"This is us wanting to look forward," said Ben Bakker, immediate past chairman of Manatee Young Professionals. "This is not a presentation of look at all the things wrong."

It is insane 48 percent of respondents spend more than 30 percent of their income toward housing, said Stewart Moon with Manatee Young Professionals.

"It's obviously something that we need to deal with," he said.

Millennials making less than $50,000 can't afford these rents, Commissioner Robin DiSabatino said.

"What's affordable and what we have available are two different things totally different from what people need," DiSabatino said. "There is kind of a disconnect between what they are building versus what people want and need."

Representatives of the Manatee Millennial Movement also spoke. Ogden Clark, a millennial team member, said housing is a multigenerational topic.

"We believe all generations need decent and affordable, safe housing," he said. "Both boomers and millennials are driving the market currently."

Millennials are interested in staying in Manatee County, Clark said.

"Our location has to be where they want to live, work and play," he said.

People want to live close to activities, so Manatee County has potential to redevelop its urban core, Moon said.

"We have these amazing opportunities to create more of these areas to allow for better, mixed use all over the county," he said.

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

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee millennials present to commission about housing on Tuesday ."