Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Housing Finance Division
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ACCEPT Broward County State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program Affordable Housing Incentive Strategies Report (“Report”) as developed by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 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 by December 31, 2024, prior to transmittal to the FHFC.
What Action Accomplishes
Accepts 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 State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (“SHIP”) Program funds were required to establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee by June 30, 2008. The Broward County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (“AHAC”) was established by Ordinance No. 2008-23 on June 10, 2008 (Agenda 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 annually prepare an Affordable Housing Incentive Strategies Report (“Report”) that 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 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.
Incentives were addressed through presentations by the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs on the impact of the Live Local Act on Broward and Legislative Policies, the Director of the Housing Finance Division on the Housing Broward: Ten-Year Affordable Housing Master Plan, and US Assurance on the impact of legislative actions regarding insurance coverages for residential and commercial properties.
The development of the Report is the result of four AHAC meetings held between February 12, 2024, and October 21, 2024. At the October 21, 2024, 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 two new recommendations: 1) Strategy No. 24-01 “Encourage the BOCC to utilize a portion of the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund account to provide grants and not mortgages to senior homeowners of condominiums who are in default with their assessments and homeowners insurance”; and 2) Strategy No. 24-02 “Encourage the BOCC to offer “forward-paying mortgages,” with no interest for residents to repair their homes.” This recommendation would result in homeowners selling their homes being required to repay their rehabilitation loans plus a percentage of the appreciated equity for the purposes of funding additional home repair clients. Further, the Report meets all required areas of evaluation regarding affordable housing policies, programs, and approaches.
Upon acceptance of this item, staff will file the Report with the FHFC.
Source of Additional Information
Ralph Stone, Director, Housing Finance Division, 954-357-5320.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact.