SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the First Amendment to the City of Clearwater’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Local Housing Assistance Plan covering Fiscal Years 2024-2027.
Body
SUMMARY:
Florida statute 420.9079 requires counties and cities receiving State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program funds must develop a three-year Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) outlining strategies for how the funds will be utilized.
The LHAP covers state fiscal years 2024-2027. The LHAP outlines six strategies identified to carry out affordable housing activities through the SHIP funding in the City of Clearwater: 1) New Construction; 2) Acquisition of Existing Homes with Rehabilitation; 3) Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance for Existing Homes without Rehabilitation; 4) Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation; 5) Multi-Family Housing; and 6) Disaster Mitigation.
The Florida Legislature has passed SB 594, which requires every LHAP to include a strategy to address Manufactured housing (mobile homes). This First Amendment to the current LHAP will amend Section II, LHAP Strategies, to do the following:
• Provide relocation assistance for persons who have been deprived of affordable housing due to a mobile home park closure;
• Provide Lot rent assistance to mobile homeowners; and
• Repeal the previous SHIP 20% cap on manufactured housing.
All other terms and conditions will remain the same as adopted. Per Florida law, the Amendment requires approval by the City Council.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Objective 2.4 - Supports equitable housing programs that promote household stability and reduces the incidence of homelessness within Clearwater.
