Title:
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Approve the Affordable Housing Incentive Report for the 2022-2023 Program Year and authorize staff to submit the report to the Florida Housing Coalition. Countywide (Stacey Smithwick, Community Development Division Manager)
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Division:
division
Community Services - Community Development
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Authorized By:
Allison Thall
Contact/Phone Number:
Stacey Smithwick/407-665-2362
Background:
In accordance with Florida Statute 420.9076, Seminole County Community Development Division staff and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) are charged with preparing the annual Affordable Housing Incentives Report, which provides a list of incentives and recommendations to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and local governing board that can be used to foster increased development of affordable housing throughout Seminole County.
On May 24, 2022, the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners approved and adopted the 2022-2025 Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). The LHAP included the following affordable housing incentives to be achieved during the plan period:
1. Expedited Permitting (Required Incentive)
2. Ongoing Review of Policies, Procedures, Ordinances, and Regulations (Required)
3. Impact Fee Waivers or modifications
In addition, with the implementation of the multi-year Attainable Housing Strategic Plan, the AHAC identified and recommended specific action steps to incentivize affordable and attainable housing development. During program year 2022-2023, Seminole County staff began implementing the following short-term strategies:
Short Term Strategies (1-3 Years):
• Establish incentive program to reduce or subsidize impact fees, provide tax incentives, expedited permitting.
• Preserve existing units.
• Establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund (locally funded)
• Seek local funds to start the affordable housing trust.
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During the December 7, 2023 Public Hearing of the Incentive Report, the AHAC reviewed and discussed the County’s progress with implementing the current incentives strategies. The report noted the diligent efforts of the Community Development and Development Services staff to implement strategies that encourage the creation of affordable housing. Specifically, with the use of the Attainable Housing Checklist, the Attainable Housing team developed what it hopes will become an institutionalized, county-wide preapplication review process to confirm and certify affordable housing projects seeking any form of local subsidy. The Affordable Housing Program Manager will act as the liaison between the Developer and Development Services throughout the planning and permitting process, in an effort to resolve issues that may delay permit issuance.
The report also discusses the affordable housing production (housing development on donated surplus land) and preservation of other activities conducted during the program year that received incentives (expedited permitting, waived or reduced impact fees). In addition, the report identifies future opportunities to incentivize affordable housing development with the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approval and adoption of amendments to the Land Development Code to implement Missing Middle Housing and Mixed-Use Corridor District zoning.
The AHAC voted to approve the report as presented and to submit the report to the BCC for adoption, as well as to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation as required by Florida Statute.
Requested Action:
Staff is requesting action to approve the Affordable Housing Incentive Report for the 2022-2023 Program Year and authorize staff to submit the report to the Florida Housing Coalition.