SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a First Amendment to the City of Clearwater’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program Local Housing Assistance Plan covering Fiscal Years 2024-2027 and adopt Resolution 26-17.
Body
SUMMARY:
Section 420.9079, Florida Statutes requires counties and cities receiving State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program funds to 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 eight strategies identified to carry out affordable housing activities through the SHIP funding in the City of Clearwater: 1) New Construction including Purchase Assistance; 2) Acquisition of Existing Homes with Rehabilitation; 3) Purchase Assistance without Rehabilitation; 4) Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation; 5) Multi-Family Housing; and 6) Disaster Assistance, 7) Demolition/Relocation/Construction and 8) Rental Assistance
The Florida Legislature has passed SB 594, which requires every LHAP to include a strategy to address manufactured housing (a.k.a. mobile homes).
This legislation requires the following changes to the LHAP:
• Addition of relocation assistance for owners or tenants who have been evicted due to a mobile home park closure;
• Addition of lot rent assistance to owners of manufactured housing; and
• The repeal of the SHIP twenty percent (20%) cap on manufactured housing
This First Amendment to the current LHAP (Amendment) will amend Section II-
LHAP Strategies. All other terms and conditions will remain the same as adopted by the City Council. Per Florida Statute, this Amendment requires approval by 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.
