Local developer Blue Sky Communities and their nonprofit partner CASL (Community Assisted & Supported Living) broke ground this week on Cedar Cove, their newest affordable housing development in Bradenton. Located at 600 Orlando Avenue, the project will provide 80 new apartment homes for families emerging from homelessness.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together local leaders, community members, and development partners, including Manatee County Commissioners Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn, CASL CEO Scott Eller, Blue Sky Communities President Shawn Wilson, and Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness CEO Taylor Neighbors.
Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn shared,
“Workforce Housing fills a critical need for the citizens of Manatee County. Cedar Cove will provide the housing that is needed for those who need it the most. We are proud to have this project in Manatee County and what it will provide to the citizens.”
Commissioner Amanda Ballard added,
“I am honored that Manatee County can play a role in bringing Cedar Cove to life, a development that will offer affordable, stable homes and critical support to families who need it most. This project is an example of what’s possible when public partners, nonprofits, and developers come together with a shared vision for community well-being. I am grateful for the collaboration behind Cedar Cove, and optimistic that we can replicate this success to create more inclusive, equitable housing in the future.”
The Cedar Cove Community
The Cedar Cove community will include three three-story residential buildings, featuring a clubhouse, playground, ample parking, and 1.8 acres of green space. The 80 apartments will be divided into 14 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, and 24 three-bedroom units and will be managed by Carteret Management, a long-time partner of both Blue Sky Communities and CASL.
Apartments will be available to residents earning 22%, 35%, or 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Current 60% AMI rental rates are $1,211 for a one-bedroom, $1,453 for a two-bedroom, and $1,679 for a three-bedroom apartment.
To ensure that families experiencing homelessness are prioritized for housing, the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness will coordinate with the development team. The organization serves as the lead agency for the Continuum of Care (CoC) in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, helping manage housing and services for those in need.
Taylor Neighbors, CEO of Suncoast Partnership, stated,
“The groundbreaking of Cedar Cove represents a powerful milestone in our community’s fight to end family homelessness. Suncoast Partnership receives numerous requests from families experiencing homelessness throughout our community seeking to be connected with resources to end their homelessness. We are honored to support this development and stand alongside Blue Sky Communities, CASL, and Manatee County in bringing safe, stable homes and on-site supportive services to families in need. Together, we’re not only helping families access housing; we are restoring hope that has been lost and ensuring families have a pathway toward long-term stability and opportunity.”
On-site services at Cedar Cove will be provided by CASL, a Sarasota-based nonprofit that will support 40 families, many with school-aged children. Families will have access to essential services such as transportation, healthcare, and personalized case management, offering wraparound support tailored to individual needs.
The total development cost is estimated at just over $28 million. Funding has been made possible through support from Manatee County’s Livable Manatee incentives, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Chase Bank, and Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments.
Cedar Cove represents another important milestone in Tampa Bay’s effort to address affordable housing needs — and a reminder that collaborative partnerships between developers, nonprofits, and public agencies can change lives and strengthen communities across the region.
