Poling Gardens is Manatee Habitat’s next community. The plan is to build 16 single family homes on a infill piece of land, which was once a tomato farm owned by the Poling family in the Samoset area. The Poling Family reached out to us several years ago indicating that they wished their property to be utilized for helping families improve their lives. The plan to build housing in this area fits with our goal to provide affordable housing in neighborhoods looking to increase the financial stability of their residents. The land we purchased was in an area that is designated a RECAP area by the county (Racially and Economically concentrated area of Poverty.) The homes we plan to build in this community are simple but sustainable and we are confident that the residents surrounding this neighborhood will find that what we build will fit well with the existing neighborhood.

In 2017 Manatee County Habitat for Humanity began a partnership with the City of Bradenton to acquire infill properties on which to build new homes. Habitat was awarded Community Development Block Grants funds which allowed for the purchase of vacant lots in three neighborhoods. Now that this project has reached completion, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity has built 11 homes throughout the City of Bradenton providing stable and secure housing for 23 children ranging in ages 2-18 years old.