Tampa CRA moves to formal application cycle for housing subsidies, sets RFA timeline and scoring framework

The Community Redevelopment Agency on Sept. 11 directed staff to move from a first‑come, first‑served approach to a structured application cycle for the CRA’s unit creation and conversion housing subsidy program and to return with a draft for board review on Nov. 13.

Staff presentation and proposed process: Bee Parks, CRA community development coordinator, presented a proposed two‑cycle Request for Applications (RFA) process, a 100‑point scoring rubric and a selection committee model. The proposal calls for a primary funding cycle with an RFA issued Jan. 15, a March 15 application deadline, CAC review in May and CRA board awards in June; a secondary cycle would start in July with later deadlines and approvals. Staff proposed a five‑member selection committee including CRA staff and CAC representation, 50‑year affordability terms on assisted units, reimbursement of funds on verified construction milestones and an appeals process for applicants.

Budget snapshot and allocations: During the presentation staff listed earmarked and budgeted amounts for the unit creation and conversion program (rollovers + FY26 budget) in…