Nonprofit group bought a 3-acre tract that was once a tomato farm
MANATEE COUNTY – A volunteer-based nonprofit organization intends to build its fourth affordable housing neighborhood in Manatee County.
Manatee County Habitat for Humanity recently purchased a three-acre tract that used to be a tomato farm in west Samoset. The Bradenton-based organization intends to convert the land into a subdivision of single-family homes with a community garden.
The neighborhood is to be called Poling Gardens in recognition of the Poling family, who sold the property.
Manatee Habitat intends to break ground in late 2018 but needs to raise donations for the first phase of construction as well as an estimated $700,000 for infrastructure for the undeveloped site.
“We will seek community support on multiple levels as we do with all of our mission work,” Roger Arnholt, president of Habitat’s board of directors, said in an announcement. “To be successful we will partner with government, businesses, volunteers and our donors to make this community a reality.”
Manatee Habitat is currently building homes on infill lots in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. It has built three neighborhoods, Washington Park and Village of the Palms in Palmetto and, most recently, Hope Landing in Ellenton.
The organization works with lower-income families who otherwise would have difficulty obtaining a conventional mortgage. Its clients purchase a Habitat home with a no-interest loan. In exchange, they must take home ownership and financial literacy classes and contribute 300 to 500 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home and other homes.