MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — There is a need for housing that can accommodate those with disabilities in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The Haven, a nonprofit based in Sarasota, has built more homes on its property and has released new plans to build more to keep up with the demand.

What You Need To Know

  • The Haven has increased the number of people with disabilities it serves by 15 percent from 2024 to this year

  • In 2012, The Haven had 20 people with disabilities living on campus; now the number has increased to 70

  • It is expanding and building its biggest group home yet at more than 6,000 square feet

  • It will break ground at the end of April

It has increased the number of people with disabilities it serves by 15 percent in the last year. Last year, it served 650 people with disabilities, and that figure grew to 750 in 2025.

It was move-in day for Adam Carmona.

“I’m excited about living here. This is a good opportunity,” he said.

Carmona is 31 years old and has autism. He says moving into his own place is a new beginning.

“I want to grow up, you know? I want to be independent. I don’t want to live with my parents,” he said.

He moved into a new group home, called “Michael’s House.”

It is the eighth group home built on The Haven’s campus and just opened up for residents to move into this month. The rent varies from $800 to $1,200 a month, and it is for people with disabilities ages 18 and up.

According to officials at The Haven, when residents move in, they can stay for the rest of their lives.

In the Michael’s House group home, Carmona will live with seven other people. There are staff on-site 24 hours a day, and the facility provides a structured schedule and plans social events. Those interactions are something Carmona is looking forward to.

“Well, I think it’s going to feel good. I mean, I just feel like when I live out here, I feel like I want to be doing things. I want to be active. I also need to make sure I’m out in the community,” he said.

Brad Jones is the president of The Haven.

“Housing is one of the greatest needs right now for adults with disabilities,” Jones said.

He says waiting for about a decade is common because of the high demand, which was the case for Carmona.

“We have a major residential waiting list of over 350 people. It’s a really exciting time, for not only the resident when they move in, but also their family. And it’s like a huge relief that, 'Ok, this is happening.' You know, this is going to be around long after I’m gone,” he said.

Jones says over the past 12 years, the campus has built five group homes, so now this year, there's a total of eight. Over those 12 years, they expanded their programs and increased their resident count. The Haven now has 70 residents, but to get more people with disabilities into a home requires time.

“We can only do that when we have donations and philanthropy to build these homes,” Jones said.

Carmona has decorated to make this room feel like his home, including hanging his Special Olympics ribbon.

“It’s second place for bocce,” he said.

This new room is a way for him to live a more independent life, a goal The Haven hopes to help many others achieve, too.

To keep up with the demand, The Haven is also adding a ninth group home to its campus. It will be its biggest home yet at more than 6,000 square feet.

It will be called “Jake’s Place.” That will break ground at the end of April, and The Haven is expanding on Desoto Road with their purchase of more land to build more housing.