The Community Development Board on Aug. 19 nominated member Michelle Chenault to represent the board on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, an annual committee required by state law for cities that receive State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds.

Planning and Development staff member Lauren Matzke said, “Florida statutes requires that cities that receive funds from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, which is also just colloquially called SHIP, annually establish an affordable housing advisory committee,” and that the committee must prepare a local housing incentive strategy. Matzke told the board the local housing incentive strategy must be completed and approved by city council by the end of the year.

Matzke outlined the committee's duties and a tentative meeting schedule: Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Oct. 28 and Nov. 18, with meetings starting at 9 a.m. in council chambers and the Oct. 14 session potentially running two to three hours. She said the committee reviews policies, ordinances, land-development regulations and the comprehensive plan to recommend actions to encourage affordable housing.

Board members discussed availability; a board member noted that a prior representative, Mr. Bootskis, has served in the past and that he indicated willingness to continue only if no other member stepped forward. Michelle Chenault volunteered and a motion to name her as the board's delegate to AHAC was made, seconded and approved. The nomination will be forwarded to the city council for appointment by resolution, which staff said is on the council agenda this week.

Board members and staff said they expect the AHAC meetings to be public and to include consultant-led sessions; Matzke said housing department staff is finalizing dates with the consultant and will provide meeting details to the board.