Manatee County is teaming with the Florida Housing Coalition to help build affordable housing and provide opportunities for mission-based organizations and minority-owned or led businesses to participate in this process. County staffers are participating in a special training program—called Support and Connect—through the Coalition and Fifth Third Bank. The goal is to provide best practices in disposition of public land for affordable housing with an emphasis on supplier diversity. In this inaugural year of the program, participants are receiving the training and technical assistance at no cost.

“This is an important program, which will help Manatee County address the affordable housing crisis,” said Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes. “This will help ensure more robust participation, increasing the contribution of all stakeholders to meeting our local housing needs.”

Training and technical assistance will be provided over the next several months to provide systematic improvement in processes and procedures, increasing housing production while addressing barriers to participation often faced by minority developers and nonprofits. Ultimately, it is anticipated that more housing will be produced by local businesses, providing opportunities to residents and building wealth within the local community.

“It’s a win-win for Manatee County,” said Dr. Hopes.