County outlines affordable housing investments; Lake Bradford project to set aside 158 units for very‑low‑income households

Leon County staff provided commissioners a summary of the county’s recent affordable housing investments and financing tools as part of the retreat.

Abby (Housing) told the board the county has invested $5.8 million in direct funding since the start of the current strategic plan and has authorized $183 million in bond financing to support development and redevelopment of affordable housing projects such as Columbia Gardens and Ridge Road. Staff said those county resources helped leverage more than $125 million in federal, state and private financing and that roughly 1,200 new affordable units will be completed in the next 18 months; about 100 of those will be targeted to highest‑need (very low and extremely low income) households.

A major near‑term project is Lake Bradford Apartments. Staff said the project will reserve 158 units exclusively for very‑low‑income households, with 39 of those set aside for extremely‑low‑income households. Abby said the result was made possible by a $35 million bond authorized by the board in October (staff note: authorization occurred prior to the retreat) and by partnerships with the local housing authority and other funders.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff framed the county’s investments and bond authority as tools to address a documented shortage of affordable rental housing for the lowest income households. Staff noted the Live Local Act (state legislation) offers incentives such as property tax exemptions and density allowances that the county could leverage to increase housing production.

Ending: Staff said construction on Lake Bradford is imminent and that the county will announce scheduling for a groundbreaking when the developer sets the date; the county will continue seeking state and federal funds and partnerships to expand affordable housing supply.