Manatee County outlines multi-site plan to expand shelters, tailor services and move toward zero encampments

Commissioners on the Manatee County Board on April 1 heard a consultant ssessment that lays out a multi-site approach to homelessness, recommending distinct facilities and clinical tracks for families, veterans, women and adult men and urging a shift to round‑the‑clock outreach and a zero‑encampment policy after shelter capacity is in place.

The plan presented by consultant Dr. Marvitt and homeless services staff recommends three near‑term facilities: a women—enter called "Under 1 Roof" in partnership with Helping Up Mission, a men—enter led by the Manatee County Sheriff epartment called Fresh Start Manatee, and an expanded Salvation Army family shelter with space for 26 families. "If we can keep kids out of foster care, we are doing an amazing thing for the future of Manatee County," Commissioner Richard Ballard said in introducing the item.

Why it matters: County and city leaders told commissioners the new configuration is intended to replace fragmented, single‑service sites with cohort‑specific programs that provide stabilized clinical care (mental health and substance use treatment), case management and workforce supports. Presenters and nonprofit leaders said the approach aims to stop the inflow of newly homeless people through prevention, speed exits to permanent housing and reduce the public‑safety and public‑health impacts of encampments.

What was recommended: Dr. Marvitt summarized the approach as an effort to match cohorts to specialized services and to change operating tempo. He urged separate clinical tracks for families with children, veterans, women and adult men; intensive substance use and mental‑health treatment; weekend and evening outreach; and use of data (an HMIS‑style case system) as a planning and case‑management tool. He also recommended that the Salvation Army become the family shelter lead, the sheriff epartment lead the adult male program, and that the county pursue a formal zero‑encampment policy once shelter capacity and alternative placement is available.

Nonprofit and city partners described current roles and gaps. Leah Hudson, Homeless Project Manager for Community and Veteran Services, said Under 1 Roof and Fresh Start are meant to be "one‑stop shop" hubs where case management, treatment referrals and basic services are co‑located to reduce clients—irculation among agencies. Sergeant Jewett of the sheriff epartment described the department—rontline work and community care court intake, saying, "When we find somebody who wants to change their course in life, then the case managers take over." Turning Points—xecutive Director Kathleen Kramer urged emphasis on prevention and noted that "only 30 percent or less are chronically homeless," arguing for fast rehousing options for the majority of people who are newly homeless.

Funding and next steps: Commissioner Ballard and several presenters said the county would use opioid‑litigation settlement funds and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars for initial capital and program operations while nonprofits pursue long‑term sustainability. Michelle Davis, Grant Administration Division Manager, told the board the county is onboarding staff and preparing an action plan for HUD—DBG‑DR funds (the "Lasting Manatee" program) and that briefing sessions on the draft action plan are scheduled for mid May. No formal board vote was required on the consultant ssessment; commissioners expressed support for the direction and asked staff to return with implementation details and budgets.

Questions and concerns: Commissioners asked how the plan handles people who are new to Manatee County versus residents with local ties, how to measure outcomes and the risk of creating service shortfalls if nonprofit partners cannot sustain programs. Dr. Marvitt said the first year of homelessness is the highest‑chance window for recovery and recommended prioritizing interventions that keep people with local social supports in their home communities; he also advised patience while the county builds a case‑management data system and integrates operations with the sheriff epartment, Salvation Army and other partners.

Public reaction and partners: City of Bradenton Mayor Wayne Brown and several nonprofit leaders voiced public support and urged rapid implementation. Taylor Neighbors, CEO of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, offered to coordinate the county—oordinated entry and HMIS functions; Turning Points and other providers said they will continue to partner on day services and rehousing pathways. County staff said they will return with more detailed metrics, site plans and funding proposals for the board to consider in forthcoming meetings.

Ending: Commissioners and presenters characterized the plan as an effort to move beyond ad hoc responses toward a managed, cohort‑based system that mixes emergency shelter, treatment, case management and permanent housing interventions.