The proposals are on the County Growth Management Area, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the County Commission Candidate Treasurer Report. The money from that fee would be used to fund the building of sufficient low-cost housing in another location in cooperation with local housing providers. $5,939,429 to an appropriate affordable housing trust fund selected by the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners for purposes of mitigating the significant affordable housing impact prior to the Initiation of Phase II of the project. Alachua County commissioners voted Tuesday to draft plans to use a new development fee to alleviate the county’s affordable housing problem. A nexus study, or “link” study, is required by state law to prove such a correlation. Please consider giving today. It leaves decisions to later on raising and distributing money for the fund… Clear sorting; Clear grouping; Group by Name; Group by Meeting Date; Group by Meeting Date (Month) Group by … County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Alachua County Housing Authority was founded in 1967. Affordable housing is one of the most pressing, and most difficult economic issues we face. Coconut Creek’s affordable housing trust fund has collected $2.6 million since 2006, she said. The Trust cannot legally be funded in the charter but this would establish it. We need a bucket full of cash to address the affordable housing crisis in Alachua County and this amendment is the bucket. Alachua County’s Poet Laureate Stanely Richardson shared a poem he wrote about Byerly and Hutchinson. Housing trust funds are distinct funds established by city, county or state governments that receive ongoing dedicated sources of public funding to support the preservation and production of affordable housing and increase opportunities for families and individuals to access decent affordable homes. Public Hearing – Question #D – County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund 11. “I want everyone to have the opportunity to live a great quality of life, to support their families and enjoy the beautiful place we have here,” Prizzia said. 1 in preseason poll for third time, Direct-sales company Southwestern Advantage continues to recruit UF students despite complaints, UF women’s swimming and diving jumps to No. “That is the questions we have been pondering.”. Support local measures on this fall's ballot. Members of the public attending the meeting expressed mixed feelings about implementing linkage fees in Alachua County. Alachua County voters are considering local issues large and small this fall. Coconut Creek’s affordable housing trust fund has collected $2.6 million since 2006, she said. Affordable Housing Trust Fund: If approved by voters, this amendment would establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and sustain affordable housing. The commissioners remained distanced, but less than 6 feet, from the judges during their oath. deposited in the local housing assistance trust fund are necessary to administer and implement the local housing assistance plan. Alachua County Office of Planning and Development, Gainesville Moving To Require Businesses To Regulate Shopping Cart Containment, Mutts, Masks And Modifications: How Veterinarians Are Handling COVID-19, The Point, Dec. 23, 2020: Coronavirus And Beyond: These Were 25 Of The Top Stories Of 2020, Pandemic Still Affecting Small Town Businesses Across North Central Florida. Both Democrats, Alford and Prizzia received more than 60% of votes for the District 1 and District 3 seats, respectively. Shall the Alachua County Charter be amended to establish an Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund used to create and sustain affordable housing, which may be funded by fees from new commercial and residential development and other sources, all as directed by the County Commission, and to provide for the purposes, revenue sources, appropriation and expenditure of funds… After each oath, the judges gave congratulatory elbow bumps instead of the usual handshake. The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Charles Fenwick is a reporter for WUFT News. More than a dozen county employees, City of Gainesville officials and residents congratulated both men for the time they spent on the commission. When the new County Commission is sworn in, it’s up to us to get them to fund it with linkage fees, a new tax, or transfers. Florida Housing’s appropriation goes towards the following: State Housing Trust Fund Alachua County Focuses In On Affordable Housing Solution, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. Land trust owner Gary Hankins said the county will either have to implement higher linkage fees than implemented in these other cities or find additional sources of funding to resolve the affordable housing problem. Hutchinson said he is confident the county can acquire enough information internally to avoid high consulting fees. “From the late 1800s to the late 1950s, Florida had the highest per capita lynching rate in the United States, and Alachua County ranked near the top of the list,” Chestnut said, adding that there are 48 recorded lynchings. Prizzia, who wore an N-95 mask, said she wants to target food insecurity and affordable housing during her time in office. The purpose of the Trust Fund is to provide a continuing, non-lapsing fund for the Alachua County Commission to use to address the need for affordable housing within Alachua County. Land use and natural resources fall under the first amendment, county growth management area. The County Commission can fund the Trust Fund from fees on new commercial and residential development and other sources and accept donations of any kind. You can reach him at 201-400-2730. “We need to have money flowing into the housing authorities, who are your housing experts.”. The Alachua County Housing Authority. The cost of land makes building affordable housing difficult, Cornell said. “I am just really tired about talking about affordable housing without doing something concrete,” he said. This doesn’t do everything that it should, but it does lay the groundwork. Now into Phase 3 of the state’s reopening, many small town businesses in the area are thriving. More than 63% of voters approved the county’s charter amendment to create an affordable housing trust fund. The third amendment could remove the requirement for candidates to submit electronic and paper treasurer reports to the supervisor of elections. After they were sworn in, all three commissioners addressed the crowd. The County would be required to administer the fund, obtain an annual audit, and spend any funds in the Trust Fund to exclusively support affordable housing. We provide rental subsidies and manage affordable Public Housing units for low income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities throughout Alachua County, Florida. Tags Affordable housing Alachua County Alachua County Office of Planning and Development Broward County City of Gainesville Communities That Care Land Trust Florida Gainesville Gary Hankins Habitat for Humanity jobs Ken Cornell Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson Senate. Local governments then place them into a trust fund that supports the development of low-cost housing. No less than 50 percent of the funds used in each county to provide such housing assistance shall be for the benefit of low-income families. “There’s a storm coming, and we are not prepared,” said Sheldon Packer, chairman of the Alachua County Housing Authority Board. Mary Alford (right), the Alachua County Commissioner is sworn in by judge Denise Ferraro (left) at the John R. “Jack” Durrance Auditorium on Nov. 17, 2020. The program works to educate residents and students about the history of racism and identify inequities that exist. We need a bucket full of cash to address the affordable housing crisis in Alachua County and this amendment is the bucket. Nexus consultants help administer the study by compiling development impact statistics and formulating plans to fix the issue, and consulting costs range from $40,000 to $100,000. Fees there range from $0.15 to $2.42 per square foot of solely commercial construction. Instead, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund would be financed by fees on new commercial and residential development as well as donations. “Positive change begins in our own backyards,” Alford said. “To be or not to be; To Hutch or not to Hutch; To Byerly or not to Byerly,” Richardson read. Affordable Housing Trust Fund – This amendment would create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund used to create and sustain affordable housing. ALACHUA COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND. Florida gymnastics tabbed No. Shall the Alachua County Charter be amended to establish an Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund used to create and sustain affordable housing, which may be funded by fees from new commercial and residential development and other sources, all as directed by the County Commission, and to provide for the purposes, revenue sources, appropriation and expenditure of funds… County Charter Amendment Establishing County Growth Management Area; Relationship Between County and Municipal Ordinances for Protection of Certain Natural Resources; Identification and Elimination of Racial and Gender Bias in Alachua County Policies; County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund The County Commission can fund the Trust Fund from fees on new commercial and residential development and other sources, but the charter amendment does not itself create or authorize any new taxes or fees. After they finished their remarks, District 4 Commissioner Ken Cornell was appointed as the new chair. Former District 1 County Commissioner Byerly served 20 years on the commission until losing the August primary to Alford. Other Florida communities have already established linkage fees to help them provide affordable housing, Bell said. Board of County Commissioners; Departments; Members; List View; Calendar View; Search: select: select: notes closed captions Help: 3 records; Group. The Trust Fund will be used to create and … The County Commission can fund … Before the new county commissioners were sworn in, two outgoing commissioners, Mike Byerly and Robert Hutchinson, were honored with short speeches and artwork featuring a map of Alachua County. Judge Meshon Rawls (left) swears in Charles Chestnut IV (right), for his third term as an Alachua County Commissioner, serving District 5, at the John R. “Jack” Durrance Auditorium on Nov. 17, 2020. Another ballot measure would establish the Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Voters approved an amendment forming a new Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund that would be “used to create and sustain affordable housing.” The amendment’s passage creates no new taxes as the trust fund will be funded entirely from real estate development fees and donations. When the new County Commission is sworn in, it’s up to us to get them to fund … Alford, sporting a Florida-shaped rainbow lapel pin, said she sees aspects of the national political divide in the county. “Y’all have been able to talk, cuss and discuss, but when you walk through that door it’s not personal and you’re still friends,” Wheeler said. It has expended $1.6 million to provide home-buyer assistance to 24 households and rehabilitation assistance to 19 households. Coconut Creek adopted its ordinance in March 2006, Bell said. Commissioner Ken Cornell said staff will provide a range of options for the board to consider based on Alachua County workforce housing income data. The Alachua County Commissioners are seen at the John R. “Jack” Durrance Auditorium on Nov. 17, 2020. This will be his third term. More than 63% of voters approved the county’s charter amendment to create an affordable housing trust fund. Linkage fees seem likely to generate only a small amount of the money Alachua County will need to provide affordable housing throughout the county, he said. OUR MISSION: To develop diverse communities of owner-occupied housing which support low to moderate income working families and individuals, ensuring affordability. FAC News Clips - February 15, 2018. Affordable Housing Trust Fund – This amendment would create an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, used to create and sustain affordable housing. (A) Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund established. Adoption of CRC Resolution 2020-04 12. For the second year in a row, Governor Ron DeSantis recommended full funding for the affordable housing trust funds ($387 million). Update or Upgrade Your Sustaining Gift Today! “It's in the conversations we have with our coworkers, the dinners we have with our neighbors, and the songs we sing in our churches.”. The motion commissioners approved requires staff to prepare a nexus study using consultants only when necessary. For the plan to be effective the county will need to work with the city of Gainesville, Cornell said, so he and his fellow commissioners will reach out to Gainesville city officials soon. For that reason, the county needs a comprehensive plan for affordable housing. Democrat incumbent Charles Chestnut IV ran unopposed for reelection for the District 5 seat. But if the linkage fee ordinance is carefully worded, so that linkage fees are applied only to luxury and student dwellings, Winzeler said, it could work. The County Commission can fund the Trust Fund from fees on new commercial and residential development and other sources, but the charter amendment does not itself create or authorize any new taxes or fees. First, local governments charge commercial and residential developments by square footage, Bell said. Coconut Creek, Jupiter, and Winter Park have used such programs, and Broward County is currently considering one. Wheeler was appointed the new vice chair. 7 in poll, Gators attempt late-game comeback, still drown in Crimson Tide, Kyle Pitts first tight end declared Biletnikoff finalist, One dead, one in critical condition after three-car crash on Archer Road, Gainesville police are searching for a suspect involved in three armed robberies. County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund Affordable housing is one of the most pressing, and most difficult economic issues we face. The county will work with Hankins’ land trust to understand how other communities have been successful in developing affordable housing. CRC Resolution 2020-01 - County Charter Amendment Establishing County Growth Management Area - rev adding hi-res map - Signed (1).pdf CRC Resolution 2020-04 - County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund - updated 06-10-2020 to add numbering footnote - Signed (1).pdf This referendum creates an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and sustain affordable housing in our community, to ensure everyone has a safe place to live. Wheeler told both men she admired how they dealt with conflict during their years on the commission. If the county raises the cost of building housing for all individuals, it also increases the costs for affordable housing, he said. Between state and federal resources, Florida Housing received $395 million, and Florida Housing applauds his efforts. Section 420.9075 Florida Statute and Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code, states: "A county or an Chestnut, who adorned a bright purple tie, said he wants the county to continue its truth and reconciliation process, which focuses on the history of racial injustice in the county. Prizzia said she wants to use her role to ensure the trust runs properly. Summary: This measure would allow the County Commission to fund, using fees from new commercial and residential development and other sources, an Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Communities That Care CLT (CTC-CLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit property developer based in Gainesville, Florida, serving Alachua County. Equity and housing are covered by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Scott Winzeler, executive director of Alachua County Habitat for Humanity, said he supports the concept of linkage fees, but he believes the county must be careful to make sure the program does not backfire. Currently Public Housing 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedroom Applications are Closed. Ivy Bell, the senior planner at the Alachua County Office of Planning and Development, provided commissioners with an overview of linkage fees and discussed the steps necessary in implementing such fees. Former County Commission Chair Hutchinson, who didn’t seek reelection, served 12 non-concurrent years on the commission, first serving from 1998 to 2002 and again from 2012 to 2020. (B) Purposes of Trust Fund. Alachua County Charter Review Commission released the four proposals that will be on the ballot in November. Shall the Alachua County Charter be amended to establish an Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund used to create and sustain affordable housing, which may be funded by fees from new commercial and residential development and other sources, all as directed by the County Commission, and to provide for the purposes, revenue sources, appropriation and expenditure of funds, annual audit, continuing … Charter review commissions for both the county and city of Gainesville developed charter amendments for this fall’s ballot. This referendum creates an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and sustain affordable housing in our community, to ensure everyone has a safe place to live. The county will also utilize talk with Gary Hankins, president of the Communities That Care Land Trust, for insight on land expenses. Sweeping cash out of the trust fund is not what DeSantis wanted. 5) The project's impacts on water quality and listed species cannot be determined at this time. Alachua County shall support the development of new affordable housing within the areas identified in Policy 1.1.3 through the allocation of dedicated funding sources such as CDBG or single family revenue bond programs. The Trust cannot legally be funded in the charter but this would establish it. Home; FAC News Clips - February 15, 2018 Prizzia said she wants to use her role to ensure the trust runs properly. An environmental engineer, she said she believes the commission needs to cooperate to make residents’ lives better. Alachua County must prove there is a correlation between developments and affordable housing to mandate linkage fees, she said. Two new Alachua County commissioners and one incumbent were sworn into office in person Tuesday afternoon. The Trust Fund can also accept … The Boys and Girls Club of Woodland Park was a major influence in the Gainesville City Commission’s decision to fund Woodland Park phase two rather than any of the other five applicants. In Alachua County, the $465,328 it received this year is below a $3.1 million target; Volusia’s $812,090 fell short of $6.3 million; and Sarasota’s $664,742 was far below the $4.9 million it could receive if the trust fund sweep is avoided next year. The newly elected commissioners and District 2 Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler will make up the commission’s first female majority since the 1990s. Hutchinson said it is time for the county to take action on affordable housing. The Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund ("Trust Fund") is hereby established. Public Hearing – Question #E – County Charter Cleanup Amendment Removing Unconstitutional Provisions 13. The County Commission would be required to administer the fund, obtain an annual audit, and spend any … Commissioner Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson said county staff will define “affordable workforce housing.”. County Charter Amendment Establishing Alachua County Affordable Housing Trust Fund. But many others have struggled. Mary Alford and Anna Prizzia were both elected to the commission Nov. 3. Adoption of … The motion calls for county staff to draft a comprehensive plan that would require new developments to include a percentage of affordable workforce housing when constructing a new development, or pay a linkage fee instead. It has expended $1.6 million to provide home-buyer assistance to … By some estimates, there are more than 30 million small businesses in the country and about 2.5 million in Florida. If approved by voters, this amendment would establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create and sustain affordable housing. The Alachua County Housing Program has been awarded funding through the Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) in the amount of $556,533.00 to assist with Rental assistance payments (including back rent, deposits and utility payments), Mortgage payments and Landlord payments. Wore an N-95 mask, said she wants to target food insecurity and affordable housing Trust Fund, used create. 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