Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Discussion
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Discussion of the City Council’s Strategic Plan Goal 4 - Housing Initiative.
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Submitted By: Alessandra “Alex” Tasca, Deputy Director, Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a diverse local economy and employment opportunities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Staff seeks to engage the City Council in a discussion on proven strategies for housing incentive programs that could encourage developers to create additional housing options for working professionals. This initiative builds on continuous research into best practices and policies that could be incorporated into the City’s code of ordinances to support economic development and increase attainable housing options. Staff developed a draft policy framework, including a proposed title, mission, vision, and guidelines, as well as a toolbox for review. This discussion will help refine the policy and incentives into a tailored program that aligns with the City’s housing goals which staff will bring forward to Council at a future meeting.
Presentation Information: Carmen Capezzuto, Neighborhood Services Director, will present an overview to guide the City Council discussion followed by a Q&A session with staff.
Staff Recommendation: Request that the Council Request that the Council A. Approve the draft title, vision, mission, & policy guidelines for further development, or provide comments and direction for the amendment of the proposal. B. Approve the tools included in Parts 2 & 3 of the toolbox proposal for further development or provide comments and direction for the amendment of the proposal.
Background:
Based on input regarding the development of the Goal 4 Diverse Economy & Employment Opportunities - Housing Initiative, and the following completed activities, staff is proposing a draft policy framework for an Essential Attainable Housing Incentivization Program (EAHIP). The draft framework is the product of multiple research and workshop activities that include:
• January 2024: Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) completed.
• Spring/Summer 2024: Comparative analysis of Affordable Housing (AH)/Workforce Housing (WFH) incentive programs and policies in the top 10 counties and top 10 cities in Florida, by population.
• Oct. - Dec. 2024: Analysis of draft ordinance ideas and common practices prepared for strategic planning sessions.
• January 2025: Economic Development Council (EDC) Housing Summit presentation by the Florida Housing Coalition.
• Spring/Summer 2025: HUD Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Strategic Communications Plan developed in collaboration with the City’s Communications Department & in alignment with Comprehensive Plan/Charting PSL 2045 activities.
The proposal consists of a draft policy title, mission, vision and guidelines for development. Additionally, a draft toolbox of options will be presented for discussion and further development.
Issues/Analysis: The objective of the discussion is to seek authorization to develop a custom program for the City of Port St. Lucie that can be presented for review and brought back to City Council at a future date. The future items for review shall be aligned with the City’s Comprehensive Plan update, Charting 2045. Additionally, a complementary communications and education initiative plan can be presented based on the parts of the proposal that are approved for further development.
Financial Information: Direction on this draft policy and subsequent discussions on any future programs will provide a basis for the development of any incentive programs that can be funded with the City’s State Housing and Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program or Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds or any other special funding that might become available in the future.
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie
Attachments: Staff PowerPoint Presentation, NCS & Citizen Summit Data, Sample Ordinance Provisions.
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: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review: Reviewed by Russell Ward, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.