Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Urging The Florida Legislature To Use All Monies In The Housing Trust Funds For Housing Programs.
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of attached Resolution.
Explanation:
The Florida Legislature is currently considering the appropriation for state and local housing trust fund programs. The Florida Senate Appropriations Committee proposes using all monies in the Housing Trust Funds for housing programs. However, the Florida House Appropriations Committee proposes to zero out the State Housing Initiatives Program (“SHIP”).
Hollywood has historically received an annual allocation of SHIP funds to facilitate the provision of affordable housing and this allocation has amounted to approximately $1,968,228.00 in just the previous five years. SHIP funds can be used for repair of existing housing stock to allow seniors to age in place or to provide retrofitting for persons with special needs. SHIP can be used to provide first time homeownership with down payment and closing cost assistance, as well as preservation of existing housing. Program income derived by the City from SHIP funds further leverage available SHIP resources and this program income has amounted to approximately $1,355,220.00 in just the previous five years.
The Florida Housing Coalition, facilitator of the Sadowski Trust, is engaged in an advocacy campaign and has asked Sadowski Coalition Affiliates and recipients of state and local housing program funds to support this campaign. Notwithstanding the Florida Housing Coalition’s actions, staff is greatly concerned about any proposed reduction in the housing trust funds, including SHIP, and desires to have these resources preserved for the benefit of Hollywood residents and the local business community.
Staff recommends that the City Commission convey the City’s position on this matter to the Florida Legislature by passing and adopting this Resolution and transmitting it to the Legislature.
Recommended for inclusion on the agenda by:
Dr. Wazir Ishmael, City Manager
Gus Zambrano, Assistant City Manager for Sustainable Development
Shiv Newaldass, Chief Development Officer and Interim Director, Department of
Development Services
Clay Milan, Manager, Community Development Division