Title
Discuss Draft 2022 Incentives and Recommendations Report (B)
Explanation
Section 402.9072 of the Florida Statutes provides that qualifying local governments (Cities and Counties) can participate in the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program and receive SHIP Program funds for affordable housing activities. Those activities include Down Payment Assistance, Homeowner Repair, Home Replacement, Mortgage Foreclosure Intervention, Home Buyer Training, Home Ownership Training, and others. Over the last five fiscal years (FY2016/17 to FY2020/21) the City has received approximately $3,000,000 in SHIP Funds.
To be eligible for SHIP Funds, the State requires local governments to take several steps, including appointing an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). Section 420.9076(4) of the Florida Statutes requires the AHAC to produce an annual Incentives and Recommendations Report (IRR) which reviews all local government plans, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations which impact affordable housing. The statute specifically requires the AHAC to review 11 listed types of strategies (incentives and regulations), plus any other affordable housing incentives identified by the committee.
Prior to 2020, the AHACs were required to produce an IRR every three years. In 2020, the Legislature changed the Stature to require the AHACs to produce an IRR every year. The City’s current IRR was adopted by the AHAC on October 12, 2021, only eight months ago.
Given the relatively short time period since the adoption of the 2021 IRR, the AHAC has not expressed interest in major changes to that IRR. Nevertheless, during the first half of 2022, the AHAC considered two possible changes that could be incorporated into the 2022 IRR. Those changes related to Expedited Reviews and Flexible Density, both of which are strategies that AHAC is statutorily required to review.
After discussing those possible changes, the AHAC decided not make any substantive changes to ...
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