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Commissioners direct HFA to study Pinellas-style land program and budget options after debate over CAGEM plan
Summary
Following lengthy debate, the board voted 6-1 to direct the Housing Finance Authority and staff to work with Capital Area Justice Ministry (CAGEM) and other stakeholders to evaluate the Pinellas County land-assembly model and other proposals; commissioners also asked for budget-level discussion of SHIP and other funding options.
The Leon County Board of County Commissioners voted 6-1 to task the Housing Finance Authority and county staff with studying the Pinellas County land-acquisition proposal and other options for expanding affordable housing, and to return recommendations during upcoming budget discussions that consider SHIP and other funding sources.
The motion, made by Commissioner Maddox and seconded by Commissioner Caban, follows months of advocacy by the Capital Area Justice Ministry (CAGEM) for a land-assembly program modeled on Pinellas County's approach. CAGEM members and local advocates urged the board to adopt a program that would use allocated public funds to acquire land for affordable housing. Supporters described the proposal as a tool to preserve and create deeply affordable units.
Commissioner O'Keefe offered a substitute motion to accept CAGEM's proposed program and institute it as presented; that substitute motion failed on a 5-2 vote. Commissioners who opposed the immediate adoption cited concerns that the Pinellas model or a Blueprint surtax allocation could drain funds from capital road projects, that Leon County's land constraints and financing environment differ from Pinellas County, and that the county had not seen a customized analysis demonstrating the model would produce more units here.
Commissioners and staff noted existing county efforts: the county reported approximately $5.8 million in direct recent spending and $183 million in bond financing commitments, plus more than $125 million secured in other financing that staff said would support about 1,200 new affordable units over the next 12 to 18 months. Staff also noted the county currently carries $400,000 in unallocated SHIP funds for projects and expects that amount to grow to $500,000 next year.
The approved motion asks HFA to work with CAGEM and other stakeholders to evaluate the Pinellas proposal and alternative models tailored to Leon County, and to return to the commission with proposals and a recommended funding approach. The board also directed staff to include a budget discussion item on SHIP and other revenue options in the fiscal-year 2026 budget process so commissioners can consider adding funds or structuring gap-financing tools.
The final vote was 6-1 in favor, with Commissioner Proctor recorded in opposition. The board also declined the immediate adoption route preferred by CAGEM but committed to further study and a path for possible budgeted implementation.
