Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) - Pilot Housing Disposition Program Plan & Project Closeout
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Submitted By: Alessandra (Alex) Tasca, Deputy Director of Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to be responsive to our community.
Executive Summary (General Business): This item serves to provide an update and follow up on Contract #20210015 awarded to the Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast (CLTPBCTC) to design and launch the City’s pilot program for the disposition of 6 newly constructed homes being built with NSP funds. Staff has worked with the consultants to design a custom program for the City of Port St. Lucie based on State and National standards and following NSP rules and regulations. Staff is recommending this program in order to meet the Federal NSP set aside requirement and begin to close out the grant. Approval of the Pilot Housing Disposition Program will allow staff to proceed with the program implementation and application process to award the newly constructed homes the beginning of next year.
Presentation Information: Alex Tasca and the CLT of Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast, Inc. representatives are available to answer questions, if necessary.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council vote to approve the Housing Disposition Pilot Program to include the transfer of 6 properties to the CLT of Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast to administer the program according to the approved contract agreement from February 8, 2021 (Agenda Item #2021-102). <https://psl.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=809863&GUID=3B4DFDCC-4F1E-4325-A86F-CBA6FE5CB444&Options=&Search=>
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and vote to approve the Housing Disposition Pilot Program to include the transfer of 6 properties to the CLT of Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast to administer the program according to the approved contract agreement from February 8, 2021 (Agenda Item #2021-102). <https://psl.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=809863&GUID=3B4DFDCC-4F1E-4325-A86F-CBA6FE5CB444&Options=&Search=>
2. Move that the Council not approve the recommendation and provide staff direction.
Background: To further manage the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) objectives, enhance the housing program’s sustainability, meet objectives imposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the NSP grant funding, and begin the grant’s closeout, a Pilot Housing Disposition Program is being planned for launch, upon approval by City Council. The project that will be launched under this pilot program includes the disposition of the City’s newly built 6 single family homes, funded with Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant funding. Comprehensive updates and presentations of the program and timeline for launch since February include: Technical Assistance & Presentation by Florida Housing Coalition (FHC) on Feb. 8, 2021 Update & Information MEMO provided via the City Manager on July 12, 2021 Special Presentation & Discussion on Aug. 16, 2021 Council one-on-one informational meetings in Oct. 2021 Upon Council approval staff will move forward with the proposed rollout of the program beginning the day following approval as outlined on the last slide of this item’s presentation.
Approval of the item will result in two main steps for the rollout. First, the program details, information on the homes and information regarding the eligibility requirements and application process will be published online and advertised to residents. City staff and the contracted entity CLTPBCTC will be available via telephone and email for inquiries. Second, the application will open along with any applicable accommodations for all interested applicants and the homes will be assigned to approved mortgage-ready applicants on a first ready basis. The homes together with the surplus City owned lots will be transferred to the CLTPBCTC as the managing entity and then the building improvements will be sold to the approved applicants at an affordable rate based on their Area Median Income (AMI) category. A summary of key points and draft frequently asked questions (FAQs) are attached. The FAQs will be updated on a regular basis, based on questions received and published online, together with all other relevant information, at www.cityofpsl.com/housing <http://www.cityofpsl.com/housing>.
Issues/Analysis: All information will be published on the City’s website and public information sessions along with open houses will be conducted as additional public education before the application period opens.
Financial Information: Project funded with Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant funding.
Special Consideration: The properties on which the homes have been constructed and that are slated to be transferred to the CLTPBCTC and then sold under the program were acquired by the NSP program, designated as surplus and assigned to redevelopment strategies pursuant to the NSP grant early on in the program.
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie
Attachments:
- Pilot Housing Disposition Program Presentation Nov. 2021
- City of PSL FAQs for Residents - Pilot Housing Disposition Program MEMORANDUM July 12, 2021 - Florida Housing Coalition (FHC) Presentation City of PSL Feb. 8, 2021
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 6656
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Ella M. Gilbert, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.