Title
Discuss Potential Changes to the Current 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 complete fiscal years (FY2016/17 to FY2020/21), the City has received approximately $3,000,000 in SHIP Funds.
To be eligible for SHIP Program Funds, the State requires local governments to take several steps, including appointing an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). The attached 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 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 approximately six months ago, on October 12, 2021. A copy of that document is included in the backup.
The AHAC has developed a consensus regarding recommendations for most of the incentives and regulations that are required to be considered. As such, future discussions will focus on strategies where the AHAC may consider revising its recommendation. Those strategies are Expedited Reviews, Flexible Density, and Other Incentives/Initiatives (i.e., ones not mentioned in the Legislation).
The potential changes to Expedited Reviews include considering ways to add certainty to the development process for projects that include the required level of affordable housing. This could result in fewer public meetings and more “by right” approvals.
To help increase neighborhood level community engagement in setting development regulations and incentives, the City could develop a civic education outreach program based on key concepts in planning, zoning, and development. After completing the program, participants should have a basic understanding of zoning and land development regulations. They should also know how to find out the zoning of any parcel in the City.
The potential changes to the Flexible Density incentive are related to the Draft Exclusionary Zoning and Inclusionary Zoning Study presented to the City Commission on January 6, 2022. A copy of the study is included in the backup. The Study contains several recommendations including requiring new residential developments of 10 or more units to provide affordable housing in exchange for incentives. Several aspects of the recommendation are detailed on pages 13, 62, 71, and 73-84 of the report.
Recommendation
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee members: 1) review the information provided including Section 420.9076(4) of the Florida Statutes, the 2021 IRR, and the Draft Exclusionary Zoning and Inclusionary Zoning Study; and 2) discuss any general or specific changes to the 2021 IRR that should be considered for incorporation into the 2022 IRR.