Media Contact: Mark Vengroff
Direct: (941) 993-9563
MarkV@OneStopHousing.com
One Stop Housing and Local Employers to Break Ground on First-of-Its-Kind Employer-Based Housing Community
Forest Cove of Manatee will provide 156 amenity-rich apartments designed to help participating employers recruit and retain local workers
BRADENTON, Fla. — One Stop Housing, local employers and community partners will celebrate the groundbreaking of Forest Cove of Manatee Apartments, a 156-unit employer-based housing community, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 1478 45th Avenue Circle West in Bradenton.
Forest Cove of Manatee will be the first employer-based housing community of its kind in the area. The 156-unit multifamily development is being created through a partnership with local employers committed to expanding access to affordable housing for their employees. Participating employers will have the opportunity to offer priority access to housing as an employee benefit, helping them recruit and retain talented workers in an increasingly competitive labor market. The model also allows participating employers to earn a modest return on their investment while supporting the development of a high-quality, amenity-rich apartment community.
“Access to affordable housing has become one of the greatest challenges facing working individuals and families, and the employers who depend on them,” said Mark Vengroff, CEO of One Stop Housing. “Forest Cove creates a new model in which employers can be part of the solution. By investing in housing for their workforce, participating employers can strengthen recruitment, improve employee retention and gain a competitive advantage, while also making a meaningful investment in the future of our community.”
Development partners include One Stop Housing; Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation; CareerSource Suncoast; Goodwill Industries-Manasota; Oysters Rock Hospitality; Spirit Movers; S&B Metal Products; Aladdin Equipment Company; Taverna Toscana; Nissan of Bradenton; and One Stop Housing Development & Construction.
The development reflects a collaborative response to the growing need for housing that local employees can afford near their workplaces and communities. By bringing together housing professionals, employers and regional workforce organizations, Forest Cove offers a model for addressing workforce housing challenges through private-sector leadership and community partnership.
“For us, Forest Cove is about investing in the people who invest in our company every day,” said Eleni Sokos, Executive Vice President of Oysters Rock Hospitality. “When employees can afford to live closer to where they work, it has a real impact on their quality of life, and on our ability as employers to recruit great people and keep them for the long term. We’re proud to be part of a group of local businesses willing to think differently and put resources behind a solution.”
“Forest Cove is more than a housing project. It’s a workforce investment strategy. Stable, affordable housing strengthens employees, strengthens businesses, and ultimately strengthens our community,” said Ryne Johnson, Owner of Spirit Movers. “I chose to invest in Forest Cove because I believe employers have an opportunity to go beyond the paycheck and help create the conditions where our people can build a better future.”
“Goodwill Manasota’s mission is rooted in helping people build stability, dignity, and opportunity through the power of work. Our support of Forest Cove reflects our core value of prioritizing people by investing in the well-being of our members who power our mission and by standing with local partners to strengthen the community we all share. This project is more than housing—it is a stronger foundation for families, workplaces, and our region’s future,” said Donn Githens, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries-Manasota.
Charlie Balliette, CEO of S&B Metal Products shared, “Forest Cove is a win-win-win. It gives our employees access to quality housing at below-market rents, provides employers with a meaningful investment in retention, and creates a locally driven solution to a workforce housing challenge that affects our entire community.”
Josh Matlock, President /CEO of CareerSource Suncoast said, “Housing is a workforce issue, and CareerSource Suncoast is proud to partner on a model that pairs quality housing with real career opportunity. We expect Forest Cove to strengthen recruitment and retention for every employer involved. ”
“One Stop Housing has developed a proven approach to delivering attainable housing, and we are proud to see this model take root here in Manatee County,” said Shirar O’Connor, President and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation. “Forrest Cove is another important step toward building a meaningful inventory of cost-effective homes that allow working people to thrive in Manatee County. ”
About One Stop Housing
One Stop Housing is a vertically integrated workforce-housing owner, developer and property manager with nearly 40 years of experience providing clean, safe and affordable housing to working individuals and families. Founded by Harvey Vengroff, the organization currently manages more than 4,000 rental units across Florida and Memphis, Tennessee, making it one of Florida’s largest for-profit workforce-housing owner-operators.
Through its nonprofit affiliate, One Stop Cares, the organization extends its impact beyond housing by providing supportive services focused on financial stability, healthcare access, employment support and homelessness prevention. Together, One Stop Housing and One Stop Cares are committed to strengthening communities, supporting workforce stability and creating long-term housing solutions that empower residents to thrive.