Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Resolution 22-R42, Approval of Updated Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for 2022-2025 per the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Compliance Guidelines and Opening of the 2-week Public Comment Period
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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): The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) requires that local governments develop and maintain a Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) detailing how the City intends to use its State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds for 3-year periods. The City's current plan is in effect until June 30, 2022. Staff has taken the necessary steps to update the plan and draft a resolution which are attached for approval. The approved documents must be submitted to FHFC by May 2, 2022. A 2-week public comment period in regard to the plan will begin upon approval and has been advertised in the local paper.
Presentation Information: N/A, staff is available to answer questions and document any public comments for submittal to the State.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the updated LHAP by resolution and submit the LHAP to the State.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council request that staff amend the recommendations and submit the LHAP to the State.
2. Move that the Council not approve the resolution and provide staff additional direction.
Background: The Neighborhood Services Department has updated the plan per guidelines and adopted programs. The updated plan will cover funding years 2022-2025 and has been preliminarily reviewed by the state authority (i.e. FHFC). The updated plan will assist eligible citizens of Port St. Lucie with the following housing strategies, as needed: A. Home Purchase Assistance, B. Comprehensive Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation, C. Limited Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation, D. Accessibility/Retrofit (Special Needs), E. Water/Sewer Connection, F. Water/Sewer Assessment, G. Disaster Recovery and H. Rental Assistance.
Issues/Analysis: The LHAP was updated based on input from the City's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) which is a group of housing professionals appointed by the Mayor in 2021 and tasked with discussing housing issues in the community. The committee had a required minimum of 5 public meetings with their final report being approved by the City Council on November 8, 2021. The updated LHAP incorporates the committee's suggestions as required.
Financial Information: Based on the most recent State Revenue Estimating Conference (August 2021), the 2022-23 projected SHIP distribution estimate for the City of Port St. Lucie is $2,095,580. Final distribution amount is subject to change based on the Florida Legislature.
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie, FL
Attachments: City of Port St. Lucie Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) 2022-2025, State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) Resolution 22-___.
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: 8000
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.