Manatee County’s Lasting Manatee Program to Launch Early 2026, Aiding Hurricane recovery
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. - Manatee County residents impacted by the 2024 hurricanes will soon have access to additional recovery assistance thru the Lasting Manatee program. Funded by a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the program will begin accepting applications in early 2026.
The home recovery program is designed to address “unmet needs” – repairs not fully covered by homeowners’ insurance. According to Odugo Oizu, Lasting Manatee Grant Communications Coordinator, “In our program, it will look at whatever remaining repairs are needed. We call that the unmet need.”
Eligibility for the program will be determined based on household income and size. Residents with homeowners’ insurance are still encouraged to apply, as the program aims to cover the difference between insurance payouts and total repair costs.
Applications will be accepted for a limited time – a 30-day window – after the program officially launches. ”Onc it closes out, that is the end of the timing that we can make sure people apply,” Oizu stated.
County officials are urging residents to proactively sign up for email notifications on the program’s website, LastingManatee.org. this email list will serve as the primary method for announcing the application opening date. The website also features a survey designed to help spread awareness of the program to local community groups, churches, and homeowner associations, along with fact sheets and frequently asked questions.
“The top priority is getting on our website’s email list,” Oizu emphasized. ”We’re using that as a notification system. So, the moment the funding is ready, we’ll send the alert out.”