Walton County LHAB reviews community land trust, HUD waiting list and ADU, density and fee tools to expand affordable housing

Walton County Local Housing Advisory Board members on Tuesday discussed multiple strategies to expand affordable housing, including creating a community land trust, using density and mobility‑fee incentives for affordable units, and reconsidering accessory dwelling unit (ADU) size limits amid state legislative changes.

The board’s discussion came after Teresa Jones, a board member, said the Walton County Community Land Trust has completed articles of incorporation and expects 501(c)(3) tax status by September. "We are now done with the Walton County Community Land Trust," Jones said, and described the trust as a nonprofit vehicle to hold surplus public land for low‑ and moderate‑income housing.

The Nut Graf: Board members said the land trust, local development incentives and ADU policy together could help address a housing shortage identified in the HUD agent activity report in the meeting packet. The report, summarized by staff and attributed to Tom Baker, notes the voucher application process is closed and "vouchers are being reissued to families on the waiting list," and a board member said the total families…