Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Palm Beach adopts 2024 affordable housing incentives report, amends local housing plan
Summary
The City Commission unanimously adopted the 2024 Affordable Housing Incentives Report and approved changes to the Local Housing Assistance Plan to transmit the report to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and implement the AHAC’s recommendations.
The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved Resolution No. 35-25 on March 17, adopting the city’s 2024 Affordable Housing Incentives Report and directing staff to amend the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and transmit the adopted incentives to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
The incentives report was presented by Kimberly Spence, assistant director of housing and community development, who said, “the item before you is the 2024 affordable housing incentives report.” The report summarizes recommendations from the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) and reviews locally implemented incentives required under Florida law.
The AHAC, a required advisory panel for SHIP funding, finalized recommendations that cover 12 incentive strategies. Spence told commissioners the committee reviewed the required 11 state-defined incentives and added a 12th: creation of a one-stop affordable/workforce housing resource. The committee recommended continuing existing incentives—expedited permitting, fee waivers or reductions, density bonuses and infrastructure reservation—and prioritized work this year on fee deferment options, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and developing a developer resource guide and staff facilitation for affordable/workforce projects.
Spence said SHIP funding has averaged about $1,100,000 over the last four years and noted the city uses the funds for construction projects with partners such as Habitat for Humanity. She described the LHAP as a three-year plan that must be amended to incorporate the AHAC recommendations; staff said the adopted incentives will be transmitted to the state by the end of the month.
Commissioners discussed the Sadowski trust fund and state-level funding timing; Spence said the legislature continues to appropriate those funds annually and that the city has received substantial allocations in recent years. Commissioners praised the committee’s volunteer work and staff collaboration. Commissioner Lambert asked about outreach and further study of ADU siting; Spence said staff and development services would continue research and follow state legislation on ADUs.
The commission voted to adopt Resolution No. 35-25 and to amend and transmit the LHAP to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; the motion carried unanimously.
The commission and staff said the AHAC will remain active through the year to review implementation and consider future amendments to the incentives report.
