Manatee County launching Lasting Manatee Intake Center to support hurricane recovery applications

MANATEE COUNTY — The Lasting Manatee Intake Center will officially open on June 1, offering residents a more accessible, in-person option for applying to Manatee County’s Home Recovery Program through the County’s Lasting Manatee initiative.

The intake center was created to assist residents who may not have reliable internet access, computer access, or who need additional support navigating the application process following Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

Staff at the center will provide one-on-one assistance to eligible homeowners seeking disaster recovery support through the federally funded Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, known locally as Lasting Manatee.

Assistance will include help understanding eligibility requirements, completing applications, answering questions, and connecting residents with available recovery resources. The center will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning June 1.

Manatee County received more than $252 million in HUD disaster-recovery funding to address unmet housing, infrastructure, and mitigation needs caused by the 2024 hurricane season.

“Recovery is not one-size-fits-all,” said Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique. “For many residents, especially seniors, individuals with disabilities, or families still working to stabilize after the storms, an in-person intake center removes barriers and provides direct support from someone who can walk them through the process, step by step.”

The Home Recovery Program is designed to help eligible homeowners repair, reconstruct, elevate, or replace storm-damaged homes that still have unmet recovery needs after insurance, FEMA, or other assistance. Residents have until June 30 to begin the application process.

The Lasting Manatee Intake Center will be located at:
Lasting Manatee Intake Center
1012 Manatee Ave. West
Bradenton, FL 34205

Residents are encouraged to review eligibility requirements, sign up for updates, and begin the application process at LastingManatee.org.

In addition to the intake center launch, Manatee County also announced the June 1 launch of the Infrastructure Recovery & Resiliency Program (IRRP), another major component of the Lasting Manatee initiative.

The IRRP focuses on long-term infrastructure improvements that strengthen community resiliency and reduce the impacts of future storms. Eligible projects may include stormwater system upgrades, drainage improvements, flood mitigation infrastructure, roadway and bridge resiliency enhancements, utility hardening, water and wastewater system improvements, and shoreline stabilization efforts.

The program will open with Lasting Manatee reviewing potential projects submitted by Manatee County Government’s infrastructure-related departments, as well as the County’s local municipalities (City of Bradenton, City of Palmetto, City of Holmes Beach, City of Anna Maria, City of Bradenton Beach, and the Town of Longboat Key). The Board of County Commissioners will select projects to be awarded CDBG-DR funding at a Work Session meeting this October. Municipal and County representatives may view IRRP information and applicant resources at LastingManatee.org.