Title
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Local Housing Assistance Plan-State Fiscal Years 2017-2020 (B)
This item requests the City Commission approval of the proposed SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan covering State Fiscal Years 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, resolution and required certifications.
Explanation
Since 1992, the City of Gainesville has participated in the SHIP Program, which provides Florida Cities and Counties with funds to implement programs to promote and preserve affordable housing and homeownership. State law requires Cities to adopt a Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) to receive SHIP funds. The LHAP describes program activities and management plans for the utilization of funds through public/private partnerships which expand the production and preservation of affordable housing within the city limits of the City of Gainesville. The LHAP addresses several affordable housing needs in the community, including homeownership, housing rehabilitation, new construction, downpayment assistance, mortgage foreclosure intervention, and rental housing. The goal of the plan is to provide affordable housing opportunities for income eligible residents within the incorporated areas of the City.
During the development of the LHAP, staff solicited public input and citizen participation through a series of meetings held in November 2016, December 2016 and January 2017. Participants included housing providers, local lenders, citizens and other groups involved in the provision of affordable housing.
Through public input, the community affirmed that the City’s existing housing programs address many of their affordable housing needs. Additionally, the State Legislature amended SHIP rules to allow Cities and Counties to use a portion of their SHIP funds for rent subsidies for households with special needs, including homelessness. In response to the amended SHIP rules, the LHAP proposes a City and County Partnership to implement a Rental Assistance Program. Those funds will help complement Continuum of Care and other service provider funding in the community. Rental Assistance Programs generally provide financial assistance and service to help quickly rehouse and stabilize homeless individuals and families. The LHAP also proposes other relatively minor changes to some of the City’s housing programs.
Fiscal Note
An estimated annual SHIP Program allocation of $815,270 is anticipated for FY2017-2018, FY2018-2019 and FY 2019-2020 , as appropriated by the State of Florida.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) Adopt the resolution approving the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program Local Housing Assistance Plan for State Fiscal Years 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020; 2) authorize the submission of the 2017-2020 Local Housing Assistance Plan to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; 3) authorize the Mayor to execute the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Gainesville and Alachua County for the Rental Assistance Program, subject to review by the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 4) authorize the Mayor and/or City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents related to the 2017-2020 Local Housing Assistance Plan, subject to review by the City Attorney as to form and legality.