'It's our duty.' Manatee County nonprofit seeks veterans to fill affordable housing

Mar. 25—PALMETTO — Our Next Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to renovating homes for at-risk veterans, has joined forces with Manatee County Habitat to remodel two affordable homes for vets.

For an estimated payment of between $900 and $950 a month for a zero-interest loan, including insurance and taxes, a veteran can own a three-bedroom, two-bath home measuring between 1,300 and 1,400 square feet. One home is in Bradenton and the other is in Palmetto.

Monday, volunteers were working on the Palmetto home, which was built in the Washington Park neighborhood about 15 years ago, making it near mint again, complete with a new metal roof, new siding and new flooring.

Habitat repurchased the two homes from the previous owners, who decided to relocate to another area.

Allan Krick, a 78-year-old Navy veteran and winter visitor from Pataskala, Ohio, was one of the Our Next Mission volunteers working on the Palmetto home Monday.

Krick paused from cutting flooring to say that he felt blessed to be among those working to get a home ready for a new veteran owner.

"I'm just trying to keep up with these guys," Krick said of the other volunteers.

Renovated homes for local veterans

Greg Kisela, a Parrish resident and retired city manager in Port Orange and several other Florida cities, serves as president and CEO of Our Next Mission.

Until its partnership with Manatee County Habitat, Our Next Mission focused on rehabilitating mobile homes for veterans in 55-plus mobile home parks.

But with those programs, ONM was never able to assist younger veterans, Kisela said.

Since its inception about six years ago, originally with Harvest United Methodist Church of Lakewood Ranch, ONM has helped get veterans into about 11 rehabbed mobile homes, he said.

Bernie Quinn, president and CEO of Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, said there has not been a large number of veterans who have applied to buy one of the renovated houses.

"This is not a handout but a hand up," Quinn said. "This is an option for the veteran community, whether it's this house or another. We'll sell 16 homes this year."

Nonprofit seeks veteran applicants

The two organizations have worked together to get the Habitat homes in shape for new veteran owners, but they have struggled to find qualifying veterans.

Applicants must earn between 50% and 80% of the area median income, have at least two years of continuous employment and have been a resident of Manatee County for at least one year.

And there is a deadline to apply fast approaching: March 31.

Next year, Habitat expects to start work on a 30-home subdivision in Bradenton.

"We're increasing our capacity to meet the need in the community," Quinn said.

When Habitat opened its application period for the latest batch of planned houses, it received 100 applications in one week. Such is the demand when first-time homeowners might expect to pay much more than $950 a month for a conventional house.

In February, the median price for an existing single-family house in the Bradenton area was $499,990.

ONM's partnership with Habitat offers veterans a tremendous opportunity, Kisela said.

Dr. Russell Sexton, a retired professor who taught biochemistry at LECOM's Lakewood Ranch campus, called it an honor to help renovate houses for veterans.

"I've been doing painting, siding and a lot of broom work — cleanup. I'm a PhD gopher," Sexton said.

"Veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it's our duty to ensure they have access to safe and affordable housing," Kisela said. "These homes represent a step towards a brighter future for our veterans, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way."

Apply for an affordable home

For veterans interested in applying, visit MHApply.org to learn more about requirements. To apply, email apply@manateehabitat.org before the March 31 deadline. Although the website says the application period has ended, it remains open to veterans through March 31.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity, visit ManateeHabitat.org. For more information about Our Next Mission, visit OurNextMission.org.

This story was originally published March 25, 2024, 3:00 PM.

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