Disclosure: Manatee County Government does not provide any direct financial assistance for housing. Presented below are the agencies that we fund for housing, homelessness, and homeless-prevention services; as well as other agencies that we do not directly fund, but that provide housing services and may be able to assist you.
Availability of support from any agencies listed may vary and must be confirmed by contacting any agency individually.
For guided support through available local resources, we also recommend contacting Suncoast 211: Dial 211 or click here to visit 211suncoastcares.org.
Current Events and Notices (as of November 3, 2025)
-program.png?sfvrsn=b1d3bdc6_1 "State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program")
Application Open for Manatee County State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program
Our County’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Housing Rehabilitation and Replacement Program has announced they are taking applications from Special Needs homeowners from October 30, 2025 through November 14, 2025. The general public may apply from December 15, 2025 through January 9, 2026.
Program Summary
- This program provides 0% interest, deferred‑payment loans for critical home repairs or replacements, over a 20-year term. This means that no payment is due unless the homeowner sells, rents, leases or otherwise vacates the property before the 20-year term.
- Priority will be given to homeowners impacted by Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Milton, or Hurricane Helene.
- Homes must be in unincorporated Manatee County or the City of Palmetto, and applicants must meet income and property-value limits.
- Eligible households include low and very-low-income residents, with additional considerations for those with Special Needs (see Notice of Funding Availability linked below for more information)
Manatee County’s Official Hurricane Safety and Recovery Websites
Timely information during and after a storm is crucial for your safety and recovery. Stay updated on evacuations, shelters, garbage collection, and more.
MyManatee.org/Storm – Click here for Manatee County’s Severe Weather Information Center
Alert Manatee – Click here to sign up for Emergency Alert Notifications by phone or email
- Receipts from in-progress or completed home repairs or replacements
- Paperwork related to insurance claims (such as insurance for homeowners, flood, renter’s, etc.) related to your personal home
- Paperwork related to timely payment of mortgages, home taxes, or liens related to your personal home
- Paperwork related to disaster relief applications with FEMA and/or any other assistance agency
Contractor Vetting Advisory from Manatee County Government to community members seeking repair and replacement services following the 2024 hurricane season
VIDEO: Importance of Using a Licensed Contractor for Home & Business Repairs
Manatee County Government Resources
Community Resources (Non-Government Services)
Home Repair and Housing Assistance
- My Safe Florida Home Program - www.mysafeflhome.com
- Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay – www.rttb.org
- Habitat for Humanity Critical Home Repair – (941) 748-9100
- Step Up Suncoast Weatherization Program – (941) 827-0188
- Home Depot Foundation (via Turning Points) – (941) 747-1509
- Our Next Mission – (941) 799-0988
- SRQ Vets – (941) 777-8387
- Freedom Alliance – Home Repair Program (for post-9/11 veterans - freedomalliance.org
Rental and Utility Assistance
- Manatee County Housing Authority - https://www.manateehousing.com/
- Bradenton Housing Authority - https://www.bradentonhousing.org/
- AffordableHousing.com - https://www.affordablehousing.com/bradenton-fl/
- Suncoast 211 - https://211suncoastcares.org
- Turning Points-941-747-1509 - rent only (rapid rehousing/homeless prevention), rental deposits
- Catholic Charities – 941-244-9490 - rental and utility assistance
- Step Up Suncoast – 941-827-0188 – rental and electric only
- Salvation Army – (941)748-5110 – electric, water bill and rental assistance
- Saint Vincent De Paul – (941)567-4827 – electric and water bill assistance
- Manatee Religious Services – 941-752-4271- rental and utility assistance
- Stillpoint House of Prayer – 941-748-6835 (M-F/ 9-11:30am) – rent only
Homelessness and Homeless Prevention Services
- Individuals seeking shelter must be 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent/guardian
- Intake begins each night at 6pm and ends at 8pm or when capacity is reached
- Emergency shelter clients must depart at 6am (women/families) or 7am (men)
- Manatee County residents with a state issued ID receive three free nights
- A fee of $15/night will be charged for anyone entering the shelter after the free nights have been used.
Helpful Information
- Report non-emergency issues like potholes, broken streetlights, graffiti, abandoned vehicles and more. You can even add photos and your GPS location to your request.
- Pay your utility bill online. (Sign up for reminders for your trash and recycling days.)
- Look up information like your evacuation level, commission district, polling site, flood zone, nearest emergency shelter, bus stop