During the recent meeting of the City of Clearwater's Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board, members emphasized the urgent need to address housing affordability in the community. A key point of discussion was the potential increase in the housing price limit to $481,000, which could provide more opportunities for homebuyers. Board members expressed a commitment to exploring various mechanisms to support this initiative, allowing the market to play a role in determining housing availability.

The board acknowledged the challenges posed by outdated data, primarily from 2017 to 2021, which may not accurately reflect the current housing market conditions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns were raised about the significant mismatch between available data and the realities faced by residents today, suggesting that the situation may be even more dire than reported.

Looking ahead, the board plans to engage in further discussions and analyses over the coming months, including reviewing applications for housing programs and addressing additional factors impacting affordability. This proactive approach aims to ensure that Clearwater can effectively respond to the pressing housing needs of its residents. The board remains open to questions and input from the community as it navigates these complex issues.