New Women’s Shelter Debuts as Part of Broader Effort to Combat Homelessness in Manatee County
Manatee County Government, in collaboration with Helping Up Mission, officially opened the Under One Roof Gateway South shelter on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting and open house event. The facility, created within the former MCSO District 2 Patrol Office, will support up to 40 women and aims to provide a trauma-informed space coupled with recovery, case management, and healthcare coordination.
Public-Private Partnerships and Key Investments
This project was made possible through a mix of funding sources, including opioid settlement dollars, HUD’s HOME-ARP program, and county contributions. In addition, The Mosaic Company has committed $350,000 to equip and renovate the kitchen space within Under One Roof, enabling residents to prepare daily meals and fostering a sense of dignity and community. Helping Up Mission will operate and staff the facility, working in collaboration with county agencies to deliver comprehensive wraparound services.
Other Initiatives in the Homelessness Continuum
The opening of Under One Roof complements several ongoing programs and projects aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across the county:
Turning Points (“one-stop center”) — Operating in Bradenton, this center provides a range of services onsite for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including emergency rent and utility assistance to help households stay in their homes.
Salvation Army Family Shelter Program — Offers shelter and case management for families, with private rooms and support services while families work toward sustainable housing.
Emergency Shelter (Salvation Army, general population) — The Salvation Army’s Bradenton facility provides shelter year-round for individuals and families in need.
Manatee Veterans Village (VOA Florida) — Provides transitional housing, treatment, and case management for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Help To Home / Hope Village of Manatee — A program offering supportive, transitional housing for families with children emerging from homelessness.
St. Vincent de Paul CARES — Serving Manatee and neighboring counties, this program applies a “Housing First” philosophy to connect eligible individuals and families directly to permanent housing and comprehensive support services.
Manatee County’s Roadmap to Address Homelessness — In 2023, the county adopted a strategic framework prepared by the Florida Housing Coalition to guide investments, partnerships, and service expansions aimed at addressing homelessness.
Scope of the Challenge
Recent reports indicate that between 2021 and 2022, the total number of people experiencing homelessness in Manatee County increased by approximately 221 percent. The number of unsheltered individuals across the region also rose significantly in that period. According to the Manatee County Homeless Services Division, the county’s efforts include the Under One Roof project, the Fresh Start shelter project, a Salvation Army family shelter project, and active coordination of a local Homeless Task Force.
Forward Outlook
With the opening of Under One Roof Gateway South, the county and its partners add a critical women-focused recovery and shelter component to the existing network of services. By integrating recovery supports, health services, case management, and safe lodging under one roof, the facility is intended to fill a gap in the continuum of care. Meanwhile, the county continues to direct efforts and resources toward upstream prevention (eviction prevention, rental assistance), shelter capacity, and collaborative alignment across non-profits, faith-based groups, and government agencies.
