BRADENTON, Fla. (Tribune News Service) — Two national nonprofits dedicated to providing housing for homeless veterans are partnering on plans to build a new community in Bradenton.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which has opened similar affordable housing developments in Arizona and California, sent a letter of intent to Manatee County officials in September. The offer comes after local leaders committed $15 million to renovate the former jail to create housing for veterans.
According to Stephen Peck, Tunnel to Towers’ president and CEO, the nonprofit aims to build 122 units south of Cortez Road where the county’s Utilities Department is based.
The housing would be a combination of 38 "comfort" tiny homes that are 500 square feet as well as an 84-unit apartment complex.
"This is a great opportunity and a great location," said Commissioner George Kruse. "This expresses to everybody here that we stand behind our word that we care about our veterans, we care about our homeless veterans."
The Manatee Board of County Commissioners previously voted to spend $15 million to begin revamping the inside of the former jail that is connected to the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton, but that plan has been abandoned.
Last week, commissioners voted to demolish the old jail instead, pointing to the high costs associated with converting the building into housing and a support center for veterans. Board members say they hope Tunnel to Towers' proposed village will fill that void.
Housing for veterans in Bradenton
Tunnel to Towers is working with U.S. VETS, another large nonprofit that provides support to veterans, to offer wraparound services on the property. The organizations say addiction resources, therapists, employment programs and other support systems will be available. The complex will also have 24/7 on-site security.
"We all suffer an indignity when our women and men are sleeping on the same streets that he or she was once asked to defend. Our job is to make sure that never happens again," said Darryl Vincent, chief operating officer of U.S. VETS. "Whatever their need is, we triage them through that."
In a presentation to the board, Gavin Naples, vice president of Tunnel to Towers, said the organization has conducted research that shows there are about 200 homeless veterans in and around Manatee County.
"We want to maximize the utilization of the site and provide housing for as many individuals as we can," said Naples.
The planned community in Bradenton would offer permanent housing to local veterans. Naples said the organization would prioritize Manatee County-based veterans and select "a mix" of veterans in different age groups and other demographics.
Support for homeless veterans
When it opens, the facility will be able to provide fully furnished units for 122 veterans. Children and significant others will not be able to live there, Naples said.
Rent payments will work on a sliding scale to keep it affordable for veterans working to get back on their feet.
"The veteran is expected to pay 30% of their income, whether that's $20 a month or $700 a month," said Naples, noting that the foundation will provide housing for people without an income while also helping them apply for housing vouchers.
According to Vincent, U.S. VETS maintains a 97% percent retention rate for veterans who take advantage of the permanent housing program.
Board members said they were impressed by the presentation, but several commissioners said they had concerns about the proposed complex. Officials debated the facility for over an hour before voting unanimously in support of moving forward.
Commissioner Jason Bearden, a Marine Corps veteran, was the most vocal. He pointed to testimonials from friends who had turned to U.S. VETS for help in the past.
"I could see how this program would be good, but I don't see it as a fix to a specific issue," Bearden said. "Our homelessness could increase because of this."
Commissioner Amanda Ballard also asked about how the organizations will handle situations where a veteran has to be removed from the facility.
Naples explained that U.S. VETS does not send veterans back into homelessness. In cases where a resident has to be relocated, the organization will connect the veteran with family, pay for housing elsewhere or seek another solution, he said.
"We're not going to kick someone out of the program and have them on the street. We will find a place for them based on their needs," Naples said.
Help during 'hard times'
Acting County Administrator Lee Washington, who is also a Marine Corps veteran, weighed in on the conversation as well.
"The county made a commitment to do something for our homeless veterans here in Manatee County. To think that this would be any different than any other affordable housing project that we've approved in Manatee County would be incorrect," said Washington, who highlighted the importance of the on-site support services.
"We're not a bunch of drunks with mental health issues running around Manatee County or the nation. Some of us have just run into hard times."
Speaking during public comment, two local residents urged commissioners to support the proposal.
"This should have been approved an hour ago," said Glen Gibellina, an outspoken advocate for veteran housing initiatives. "I can't believe we're having this conversation."
"They've earned our respect and a place to get their lives back on track. As a community, the only answer is yes," Stacy Jesse added.
In the end, commissioners voted to have staff continue negotiating a deal with Tunnel to Towers and U.S. VETS. County staff plan to visit one of the existing veteran housing communities in the coming weeks. Bearden also said he hopes to visit one of the sites to speak with fellow service members.
"I think I might feel a little bit better if I could get permission to go out to Riverside and check out the facility," said Bearden, referring to an existing community in California. "I'd like to physically see it and ask questions with the people to see if they're truly getting services."
Tunnel to Towers and U.S. VETS said they hope to open the veteran housing community by the end of 2024.
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Two national nonprofits dedicated to providing housing for homeless veterans are partnering on plans to build a new community in Bradenton, Fla. (VA.gov)
