Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approval of the Draft 2024 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Report
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Submitted By: Ann Fidge, Housing Programs Manager, Neighborhood Services
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of a high-performing city government organization.
Executive Summary (General Business): As a recipient of funding through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, the City is required to convene an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) every year. The AHAC must review the housing incentive strategies mandated for review by the State and make recommendations to the City Council for incorporation into the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). The committee was appointed through Resolution 24-R20, has had meetings per the required schedule and staff is providing this draft summary report of recommendations discussed for approval by the Committee. This report is a summary of the review of the eleven affordable housing incentives and Committee recommendations as mandated by State of Florida legislation. A Public Hearing has been advertised for this AHAC meeting. After the approval of this report by the AHAC and incorporation of any public comment received, if applicable, staff will submit the report to the City Manager and City Council for approval on December 2, 2024. After the report is approved by City Council it will be officially transmitted to the Florida Housing Coalition (FHC) on behalf of the City of Port St. Lucie by the deadline December 31, 2024.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Board recommend approval of 2024 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Report and submit it to City Council for approval.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Board amend the recommendation and approve the updated version of the 2024 AHAC Report and submit it to City Council for approval.
2. Move that the Board not approve the 2024 AHAC Report and provide staff direction for the fulfillment of the State requirements.
Background: An AHAC is required to be appointed by the governing board of each local jurisdiction receiving SHIP funding pursuant to F.S. Section 420.9076. The purpose of the AHAC is to provide recommendations for strategies to reduce regulatory barriers to developing affordable housing in the community. The statute requires that the recommendations be presented to the local governing body, for approval. If any changes are made that are not in the existing LHAP, the plan must be amended to incorporate the new recommendations. Any new strategies must be adopted within one year of adopting the LHAP. The jurisdiction must convene an AHAC for review of the incentives on a yearly basis. The AHAC must review the housing incentive strategies in the LHAP to ensure that those strategies are being implemented and to recommend, if necessary, any additional incentives that may prove to be beneficial to affordable housing.
Issues/Analysis: The 2024 AHAC meetings were conducted between April and November 2024. The committee has been discussing the eleven affordable housing initiatives listed in the attached report, ranging from expedited permitting to development of affordable housing near major transportation corridors. A copy of the 2024 AHAC Report is attached for review. The 2024 AHAC has not recommended changes and/or updates.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: This report is required to be submitted to the FHC before the end of the 2024 calendar year. Per State Legislation an elected official is required to be on the AHAC. Councilman Bonna was appointed and served as our elected official representative on the 2024 AHAC. The committee meetings were organized in close coordination with the Planning & Zoning Department, the Building Department, the Clerk’s Office, and the City Attorney’s Office.
Location of Project: City of Port St. Lucie
Attachments:
- Draft 2024 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Report
- Final TPMA St Lucie Housing Assessment
- Draft PSL HUD TCTA Plan
- 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 packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.