On July 16, Lasting Manatee team members Odugo Ohizu and Ronda Watts joined Manatee County’s Community and Veteran Services Department at the Palmetto Library for a special Housing Services Information Session and Legal Clinic. With short talks from local groups and free legal help for attendees, the event was full—standing room only!
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After a welcome by Julia Vierra, several groups gave quick five-minute presentations and answered questions:
Rental Help / Homeless Services
- The Salvation Army
- Turning Points
- Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc.
Homeownership Help
- Step Up Suncoast
- Rooted Communities
Free Legal Help
- Gulfcoast Legal Services
Manatee County Government Housing Programs
- CDBG Housing Programs
- Lasting Manatee (CDBG-DR) Housing Programs
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As each organization shared updates, several important changes stood out—especially those aimed at expanding access and meeting residents where they are.
Rooted Communities talked about their long history in the area, with more than 20 years of service, and shared how they’ve continued to grow and shift to meet changing needs. Step Up Suncoast announced new support options that include help with car repairs and childcare, and also noted they’ve removed limits that once allowed people to receive assistance only once in their lifetime.
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The Salvation Army also responded to a thoughtful audience question by explaining their approach to keeping families together in a single unit whenever space allows. They emphasized how their ID policy is flexible to make sure people without standard documents—including undocumented residents or those transitioning gender—can still get help.
In the final presentation, Lasting Manatee shared news of three programs that are in development:
Attendees appreciated the detailed walk-through of eligibility, timelines, and next steps. Follow-up conversations highlighted strong community interest in the Home Buyout Program—particularly its potential to assist mobile homeowners on leased land.
The event’s speakers and Manatee County staff took great pride in making this first-of-its-kind event a true success. The energy and engagement in the room showed the power of partnerships in growing access to housing resources across our neighborhoods. To learn more or get involved with future events like this, reach out to Manatee County’s Community and Veteran Services Department by clicking here.