Title
Donation (Disposition) of City Property Tax Parcel #11367-000-000 to Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (B)
This item requests the City Commission authorization to donate City-owned land to the Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Inc. to build a new affordable home and sell to a qualified low-income first-time homebuyer.
Explanation
In August 2008, representatives from the Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (Habitat) met with the City Manager to express interest in procuring lots within the City of Gainesville at minimal/no cost to be used by Habitat to construct new homes for residents. Habitat requested for the City to review its inventory of lots to determine if there were any parcels available to donate to Habitat for future home construction. After reviewing the City's inventory of lands suitable for affordable housing, City staff recommended three lots that were available for donation to Habitat. The lots were adjacent and located in the Duval Area neighborhood. Upon receiving the City's proposed land donation offer, Habitat agreed to accept the parcel of land #11367-000-000 (consisting of two lots) located at 1724 NE 4th Avenue because it met the size requirements Habitat needed to build a new home. However, due to a change in Habitat's management structure and program funding availability, the project was placed on hold by Habitat representatives.
As a follow up, City staff recently contacted Habitat representatives to inquire if the agency was still interested in receiving a donation of these properties from the City for new affordable housing development. Habitat representatives indicated that they were still interested in receiving a donation of property from the City. Habitat indicated that they could build a new home on the property within the next year based on program funding availability. As such, in the best interest of the City, City staff recommended that Habitat for Humanity accept the donation of all three lots to make this project feasible. All three lots have been combined into one tax Parcel #11367-000-000. Combined together, the property contains three lots (estimated at 75'x128'), which would allow for the development of approximately 1 to 2 homes depending upon the dimensions of the new housing units. As a result, Habitat has agreed to accept all three lots as recommended by City staff. As a part of the deed conveyance the City will allow Habitat up to 2 years from the date of execution of the deed to build a new affordable home on the property. If Habitat does not build a new home within this time period or fail to convey the home to a low -income first-time homebuyer, then the City may cause the property to revert to the City for use as determined by the City at that time. The disposition of this property would allow Habitat the opportunity to develop the lot into useable housing stock and assist in the City's continuing effort to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods for the benefit of all residents; and to increase the amount of affordable and low cost housing in the City. This type of affordable housing project will assist the City in meeting its goals to accomplish these initiatives.
Fiscal Note
None.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) declare Lots 21, 22, and 23, Block 1 of New Gainesville (Tax Parcel #11367-00-000) as surplus property; 2) approve the conveyance of Tax parcel #11367-000-000 to Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Inc. to be used for the development of a new affordable housing for an income qualified low-income first-time homebuyer to be identified at a later date; 3) authorize the Mayor and Clerk of the Commission to execute the warranty deed to transfer title to Alachua Habitat for Humanity, Inc., retaining the right of reverter for the City subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 4) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all other documents related to this transaction, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.