On May 20th, 2025, a sunny Tuesday afternoon, we gathered with more than 50 supporters, community leaders, and partners to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Kings Cross Place, our next community of affordable homes in Manatee County.
Located just east of Oneco in Bradenton, Kings Cross Place will soon become home to 27 local families. These homes—offering 3- and 4-bedroom layouts—will be sold through our zero-percent interest mortgage program, with monthly payments between $900 and $1,000. For families currently facing rising housing costs, this is more than just a place to live—it’s a path to long-term stability and financial independence.
“This isn’t just about building homes—it’s about building opportunity, dignity, and hope,” said our President and CEO, Bernie Quinn, as he welcomed guests to the event. “We are proud to bring this community to life with the support of our donors, volunteers, and partners who share our belief in the power of affordable homeownership.”
We were honored to have State Representative Will Robinson join us and share remarks about the importance of our work in addressing the local housing crisis and empowering hardworking families.
A particularly heartfelt moment came when Paula, one of our future Habitat homeowners, shared her personal story. “I told myself that homeless is a temporary term but helpless is a state of being… and I don’t want to be temporary anymore,” she said. “Habitat for Humanity has taken me from helpless to helpful, and I am grateful once again for the opportunity to be a homeowner.”
We also recognized the incredible generosity of RedElk Land Company, whose donation of all 27 building lots—11.07 acres valued at $2.32 million—made this project possible. While RedElk President Bill Short couldn’t attend the event, he shared a powerful statement: “This deal is a testament to our commitment to addressing the local housing crisis and providing affordable housing opportunities for those in need.”
Among the other key stakeholders who joined us were Justin Zaleski of Bank OZK, Erika Foley of Nissan of Bradenton, and Julia Vieira of Manatee County Government.
We will work on the infrastructure for this community for the next 8 months before starting construction on the first home in January 2026. We plan to complete 12 homes by the end of that year. We’ll continue building one new home each month until all 27 are finished by early 2028.
We’re so excited for what’s ahead—and grateful to each of you who continue to walk alongside us in this mission. Kings Cross Place isn’t just our next community—it’s the next chapter in our shared commitment to building a better future for families in Manatee County.
To learn more about Kings Cross Place, visit manateehabitat.org/kcp
