Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Requesting Approval to Provide Funding for a County-Wide Comprehensive Housing Analysis and Implementation Plan (from the City’s Affordable Housing Annexation Fee Fund #128)
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Submitted By: Alessandra “Alex” Tasca, Deputy Director, Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City’s Mission to be responsive to our community.
Executive Summary (General Business): This agenda item requests to contribute one-third of the budgetary funding needed to execute a County-wide Comprehensive Housing Analysis & Implementation Plan together with the City of Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie County. The funding reimbursement to the County shall not exceed $50,000 from the City’s Affordable Housing Annexation Fee Fund #128 for the creation of the analysis and plan. A competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) would be published by the County in 2022. City staff, via the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Reports, have verified the validity of the request and support this partnership as a necessity for our community. No formal Comprehensive Housing Analysis has been done in the area to date. The item is in accordance with the State Housing Strategy Act pursuant to State Statue Chapter 420.
Presentation Information: Staff requests to provide a brief introduction and are available for any questions.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the funding request and enter into a partnership with the City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County on the development of a County-Wide Comprehensive Housing Analysis and Implementation Plan, via the City’s Neighborhood Services Department.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the request to partner on the development of a County-wide Comprehensive Housing Analysis.
2. Move that the Council not approve the funding request and provide staff with further direction.
Background: Neighborhood Services was assigned the task of soliciting and drafting a Comprehensive Housing Analysis and Implementation Plan by City Council as the result of the approval of the 2021 AHAC Report. The plan will serve a multitude of purposes including providing the background documentation necessary to develop a plan for the use of the funds currently in the City’s Affordable Housing Annexation Fee Fund #128. With the creation of the City’s Special Affordable Housing Fund, funded via (Resolution 16-R24) and the adoption of affordable housing incentives in the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP), a Comprehensive Housing Analysis is needed to further the proposed housing initiatives and affordable housing projects within the City. The Analysis will also serve to provide background in order to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan - Housing Element.
This project will work towards accomplishing the goals set forth by the Florida State Statute Chapter 420 “Housing” and Chapter 420 Section 003 “State Housing Strategy”. Therefore, Neighborhood Services is recommending approval of this request as a one-time funding request to be budgeted from the City’s Affordable Housing Annexation Fee Fund #128.
Issues/Analysis: City staff solicited a proposal from the Florida Housing Coalition (FHC) to conduct a Comprehensive Housing Analysis and Implementation Plan for the City only and the cost was higher than if it were to be split three-ways amongst the three (3) largest municipalities in the County. This partnership will provide a better resource for the future and is a more efficient and cost-effective use of City funds. Neighborhood Services staff will work closely with County staff during the whole process to ensure the City’s needs are met
Financial Information: The maximum budget for this project will be $50,000. The project will be openly and competitively bid per municipal guidelines. Sufficient funding is available for this project in Fund #128 SW Affordable Housing Annexation Fee.
Special Consideration: Timeline for bidding to be conducted and the selection process completed by early summer 2022 so that the plan can be completed by the end of the year.
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie, Florida
Attachments:
1. Proposal from FHC
2. City of PSL 2021 AHAC Report
3. Letter from Deputy County Administrator Jefferson about the project
4. Chapter 100 of the City’s Code of Ordinances
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: 8209
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Ella M. Gilbert, Senior Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.