MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County plans to use money from Biden’s American Rescue Plan to help homeless veterans.
According to the Bradenton Herald, Manatee County officials want to use money from the COVID relief act to turn the vacant jail in downtown Bradenton into a place to help struggling veterans.
The jail is connected to the Manatee County judicial center but has been vacant for 15 years.
The county is receiving $78 million from the American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden and passed by congressional Democrats.
Manatee board members agreed to set aside $2 million of that sum to design the facility and $13 million to begin jail renovations. Commissioners envision that the building would offer counseling, temporary housing, and other social support services.
Manatee County administrator Scott Hopes says he expects the center open by 2024.
