Manatee County annually funds the rehabilitation of numerous homes in unincorporated areas and Palmetto through its State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP). This year, however, the county is prioritizing residents affected by last year’s hurricanes for the allocation of its $1.2 million budget.

“We tackle health and safety concerns first, followed by code violations, and then we focus on hurricane mitigation,” explained Deborah Ash, Housing and Community Development Coordinator. “This includes installing new windows, roofs, doors, additional strapping, and trimming trees—anything to help residents safely shelter in place during a storm.”

Patricia Hart, a previous SHIP recipient, shared how the program transformed her life. “It felt like a true blessing from God,” she said, noting the timing couldn’t have been better. “It happened right before the storm. This kind of opportunity is rare, and for me, it’s incredibly special.”

Having lived in her home for 22 years, Hart’s house needed significant repairs. The SHIP program, designed for low- to very low-income residents in Palmetto and unincorporated Manatee County, provides housing rehabilitation and replacement assistance. “They did an amazing job—painted the walls, redid the floors, fixed the AC so it cools every room, and even retiled my bathroom,” Hart explained.

Hart applied for the program in 2023 and, after approval, saw her home improvements completed over nine months, just before Hurricane Debby struck. “I didn’t have hurricane-proof doors before,” she said. Now, with the upgrades, she feels much safer. “I stayed in my home during the storm like a champ. I’m protected by God’s grace,” she added.

The repairs, which included a new driveway, fresh paint, and a new roof, were beyond Hart’s financial reach. “I couldn’t afford these repairs on my own, so this program was a huge help,” she said. She believes the county’s assistance will safeguard her home for years to come.

The application deadline for the SHIP program is today, April 7, at 5 p.m.

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