Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Housing Finance Division
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Broward County State Housing Initiatives Partnership (“SHIP”) Program Affordable Housing Incentive Strategies Report (“Report”) as developed by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (“AHAC”) and authorize the filing of the Report with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (“FHFC”).
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Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with Section 420.9076, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code, the Report is required to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) by December 31, 2023, prior to transmittal to the FHFC.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves the Report and authorizes the filing of the Report with the FHFC.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING FINANCE DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s vision of, “offering sustainable, compatible, innovative housing options for all income levels, including integrated, permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing,” and its corresponding goal to “strengthen stakeholder partnerships to increase the availability of affordable housing of all types (e.g., rental, purchase, supporting, etc.) countywide in every community.”
In accordance with House Bill 1337 passed in the 2007 Legislative Session and associated changes to Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code, counties and cities receiving SHIP Program funds were required to establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) by June 30, 2008. The Broward County AHAC was established by Ordinance No. 2008-23 on June 10, 2008 (Item No. 9).
As outlined in Section 420.9076(2), Florida Statutes and Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code, one of the responsibilities of the AHAC is to prepare an Affordable Housing Incentive Strategies Report (“Report”) and submit the Report to the local government, which Report evaluates established policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations and the comprehensive plan, and recommends changes to promote affordable housing, if necessary. The AHAC is required to address the implementation of affordable housing incentives in at least the following eleven (11) areas: 1) Processing approvals of development orders or permits; 2) Modification of impact fee requirements; 3) Density flexibility; 4) The reservation of infrastructure capacity; 5) Affordable accessory residential units; 6) Reduction of parking and setback requirements; 7) Flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line configurations; 8) Modification of street requirements; 9) A process by which a local government considers, before adoption, policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that increase the cost of housing; 10) A printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable for affordable housing; and 11) Policies which support development near transportation hubs and major employment centers and mixed-use developments.
The above incentives were addressed through presentations by the Broward County Planning Council and the Florida Housing Coalition, and the AHAC is encouraged to make recommendations to existing incentives strategies and recommend new incentive strategies as it relates to affordable housing.
After the AHAC’s initial Report was submitted in 2008, the AHAC was required to submit a triennial Report to the local government for approval, and then to the FHFC by December 31st of the corresponding year. However, effective October 1, 2020, local governments are now required to submit the Report annually. As such, Broward County must comply with these reporting requirements by submitting the Report to the FHFC by December 31, 2023.
The development of the Report is the result of four AHAC meetings held between March 13, 2023, and October 16, 2023. At the October 16, 2023, AHAC meeting, County staff produced a draft version of the Report and conducted a public hearing to solicit public input for recommendations to be included in the Report. The public hearing was advertised, and a notice under Chapter 286, Florida Statutes, was posted. The approved Report is attached as Exhibit 1. The Report supports prior years’ recommendations and makes one new recommendation to ensure proposals/plans for development of areas identified as at risk due to sea level rise, and areas similarly identified as having an enhanced flood risk due to sea level rise, and already adopted by a City/County in its Comprehensive Plan, are reviewed by the City and/or County prior to approval of the development. Further, the Report meets all required areas of evaluation regarding affordable housing policies, programs, and approaches.
Upon approval of this item, staff will then transmit the Report to the FHFC.
Source of Additional Information
Ralph Stone, Director, Housing Finance Division, 954-357-5320.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact.