TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, City Manager
DATE: May 1, 2019
Title
ACCEPTING THE BROWARD COUNTY STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) PROGRAM, 2017 AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVE STRATEGIES REPORT.
BACKGROUND: In accordance with House Bill 1337 passed in the 2007 Legislative Session and associated changes to Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), counties and cities receiving State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds were required to establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) by June 30, 2008. The City established an AHAC in 1998.
The responsibilities, composition, and reporting requirements for the AHAC are outlined in Section 420.9076(2), Florida Statutes ("F.S."), and Chapter 67-37.010, F.A.C. as follows: (i) Prepare a recommended local affordable housing incentive plan for local government approval; and (ii) Prepare a triennial report and submit the report to the local government, which report evaluates established policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations and the comprehensive plan, and recommend changes to promote affordable housing, if necessary.
Staff confirmed with Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) that City can meet its statutory AHAC Report December 31, 2019 submission responsibilities via acceptance of the Broward County Report submitted to FHFC in December 2017, as City has Interlocal Agreements (Resolution 16-320 and Resolution 19-021) with Broward County for the preparation, implementation, and administration of the City’s SHIP Program for fiscal years 2016-2018; and 2019-2021 respectively.
State statute requires that the AHAC report must address the implementation of affordable housing incentives in eleven (11) areas and may also include other affordable housing incentives identified by the AHAC in accordance with Section 420.9076(4)(k), F. S. The development of the Report takes approximately six-nine (6-9) months and includes monthly meetings, input from various affordable housing stakeholders, a Public Hearing, and approval by local policy makers prior to submission to FHFC. To ensure that City is pro-active in meeting its obligations, staff has sought guidance from FHFC regarding the efficacy of the City having its own AHAC while the Broward County Interlocal Agreements are in effect. Based on FHFC guidance, staff may consult with County to determine if City can appoint a person to a County AHAC categorical vacancy.
At this time, the City Commission is being requested to accept the recommendations of the Broward County AHAC Report, which was submitted to FHFC in December 2017 and is valid through December 2020 to meet the statutory submission deadline of December 2019.
RECOMMENDATION: For Approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact to the City.
CONTACT PERSON: Sam A. May, City Manager
Cale Curtis, Assistant City Manager