TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Michael Coleman, Director of Community Improvement
THROUGH: Donald B. Cooper, City Manager
DATE: April 19, 2016
Title
STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN (LHAP) FY2016-2019
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to authorize and approve the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for Fiscal Years 2016-2019, by adopting Resolution #13-16, pursuant to Title 67-37 of the Florida Administrative Code.
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Background:
For the past twenty-four (24) years, the City has received funds under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. SHIP funds are generated from a portion of documentary stamp taxes collected throughout the State and held in the State’s Housing Trust Fund for the development and maintenance of affordable housing. The State requires a Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) outlining how the City plans to administer the SHIP funds once they are received. On February 23, 1993, under Ordinance #2-93, the City Commission established a Local Housing Assistance Program, created the Local Housing Trust Fund and created the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to comply with various sections of Title 67 of the Florida Administrative Code. The Neighborhood Services Division staff administers the program and under the approved plans, has assisted Delray Beach residents with homeownership, housing rehabilitation and foreclosure prevention opportunities.
Attached is the Local Housing Assistance Plan for 2016-2019, which contains the following strategies:
1) Purchase Assistance; 2) Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Assistance; 3) Land Acquisition; 4) Disaster Relief Assistance; 5) Sub-Recipient Housing Partnership Program (Community Land Trust); 6) Foreclosure Prevention; 7) Rapid Rehousing (Rental Assistance), as well as several incentives within the LHAP, that may be implemented during the next three years. The LHAP is based on the current year’s annual allocation of $399,336 per year for the three-year period.
Noted changes include the following:
1. Increase of maximum homebuyer contribution from 2% to 5%
2. Increase of rehabilitation project cost from $37,000 to $50,000
3. Change to asset cap of all programs
4. Inclusion of Rapid Rehousing strategy to provide rental assistance up to $5,000 to prevent homelessness
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source:
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Funds budgeted in the FY 16-17 budget.
Timing of Request:
Plan is due to State by May 2, 2016.