Looking for affordable housing in Florida? New complex may come to old Italian restaurant
Workers looking for affordable housing in Florida could soon have a new option near an airport on the state’s Gulf Coast.
A developer is looking to build affordable housing for lower-income workers near Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Manatee County.
The five-story building would feature 72 apartments, which include a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts. The apartments would be reserved for tenants earning up to 35%, 60% and 80% of the area median income.
The rent for a one-bedroom apartment would range from $659 to $1,508 a month.
Scott Eller, CEO of Community Assisted Supported Living, a nonprofit human services organization, said he hopes to ease the burden on renters in Manatee County.
“If people are good enough to come here and to serve our community, they are also good enough to live here,” Eller told the Bradenton Herald. “We want them to be part of the community.”
In the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota metro area, 31% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent, and 29% spend more than half of their income on housing, according to a recent Apartment List report. As a rule of thumb, people should not spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
New workforce housing planned for Manatee County
During a recent meeting, the Manatee County Commission agreed to help the developer secure a $2 million loan to buy the site of the affordable housing development. The project is expected to cost the developer up to $28 million.
“I am immensely excited to see a project come forward for true lower-income workforce housing,” Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard said at a November meeting.
The goal is to create housing for teachers, firefighters, airport workers, police officers, nurses and food service and hotel workers.
The property sits at 8076 N. Tamiami Trail in southern Manatee County, near the airport. Part of the complex will be built on the site of the former Primo! Ristorante, which closed after 32 years in 2022.
Planned amenities include a community center with a clubroom, fitness center, library and office space. The developer would also work with the Boys & Girls Club to offer after-school programs.
The affordable housing development, which county leaders said would help revitalize the U.S. 41 corridor, is expected to open in 2027.
