PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The City Council on Wednesday declined to immediately commit the city’s $340,000 local government contribution for the 2025 low‑income housing tax credit round and instead voted to await further progress from the Punta Gorda Housing Authority on a storm‑damaged property.

Charlotte County staff and the county’s SHIP administrator, Colleen Turner, had proposed the city run a competitive local request for applications (RFA) to create a local preference for one city project in the Florida Housing Finance Corporation 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit RFA. Turner said a city commitment would give any Punta Gorda applicant priority in Florida Housing’s scoring for this year’s competition.

Council discussed the timeline and competing projects. Members noted the Punta Gorda Housing Authority is working to replace 30 storm‑damaged units and may need city support. Councilmember Melissa Lockhart moved to delay an immediate city commitment and review the housing authority’s progress first; the motion passed on a council vote.

Nut graf: Council elected to wait rather than earmark $340,000 now for a local LGAO contribution, citing a desire to prioritize any city‑run housing authority rebuilding effort and to avoid locking up limited city funds while the housing authority’s recovery plan develops.

Staff said the county will run its RFA; if the city later chooses to support a project, it can do so but may lose the extra prioritization offered only to local governments that commit in the current RFA cycle. Council asked staff to monitor developer interest and return with recommendations if a Punta Gorda‑based project is ready for local support.

Council member Jeff Lustig urged the council to move forward and take advantage of the advantage points, saying the city has limited opportunities to influence project selection; other council members said they preferred to ensure the housing authority’s damaged units are prioritized.