SUBJECT
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State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Incentive Plan Implementation Annual Review 2024, Authorizing Resolution and Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) Amendment Revisions. (No fiscal impact)
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DESCRIPTION
Polk County participates in the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) and is required to provide the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) with a report annually on the implementation of the current SHIP Affordable Housing Incentive Plan. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) annually reviews and recommends affordable housing incentive strategies. The Affordable Housing Incentive Plan outlines existing affordable housing incentive strategies available for the development of affordable housing. On October 23, 2024, at a public meeting, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) reviewed the current incentives and voted to approve adding the definition of affordable housing to the Demolition Lien Waiver Incentive Strategy and recommend the existing strategies remain in place. The AHAC is currently forming a subcommittee to review the Demolition Lien Waiver Strategy to address affordability barriers for small developers. The AHAC also approved various amendments to the Local Housing Assistance Plan as outlined in in the attached plan and resolution.
All adopted strategies are outlined below:
1. Expedited Permitting (Required Incentive)
2. Ongoing Review of Policies, Procedures, Regulations and Plan Provisions that increase the cost of housing prior to their adoption (Required Incentive)
3. Waiving of Impact Fees
4. Inventory of Publicly Owned Land Suitable for Affordable Housing
5. The Support of Development Near Transportation Hubs, Employment Centers, and Mixed-Use Developments
6. The Demolition Lien Waiver. - add the definition of affordable housing.
Since the Adoption of the original 2008 Affordable Housing Incentives Plan, Polk County has continued to expedite the permitting process for affordable housing, provide waivers of impact fees for affordable and workforce housing, maintain an inventory of publicly owned land for affordable housing opportunities and supports development near transportation hubs, employment centers and mixed-use development. Additionally, Polk County HND continues to review policies, procedures, regulations, and plan provisions that could impact the cost of affordable housing.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the AHAC's recommendation for the amendments to the Local Housing Assistance Plan and to accept the SHIP Incentive Plan Implementation report for 2024 and the affordable housing incentives as outlined in the plan and approve the accompanying Resolution confirming approval and authorizing submitting the Plan to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal Impact
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jennifer Cooper
Housing & Neighborhood Dev. Manager
jennifercooper@polk-county.net
863-534-5209