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Polk County OKs up to $1.5M in SHIP funding for Grove Manor Phase 2 in Lake Wales
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved a three-party SHIP loan not to exceed $1.5 million to support Grove Manor Phase 2, authorizing the county manager to execute closing and loan documents.
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners voted Sept. 16 to approve a three-party agreement obligating up to $1,500,000 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds for Grove Manor Phase 2, a proposed affordable rental apartment complex in Lake Wales.
The SHIP loan will be made under an agreement among Polk County, Neighborhood Lending Partners Group and the Smith and Hensy Affordable Group. Mr. Beasley, speaking for the manager's office, described the action as “a 1 time state investment not to exceed $1,500,000” and said the funding is budgeted in the county’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The county earlier solicited developers for affordable rental housing in August 2023 and authorized contract negotiations in September 2023 with Smith and Hensy Affordable Group. Rick Krogan, representing Smith and Hensy Affordable Group, thanked the commission and noted past county support, saying the Winter Haven Grove Manor project “would not have been completed without your assistance.” Krogan said Grove Manor Phase 2 would proceed in four phases and could yield “up to, 300 units of affordable housing” on the property.
Under the approved paperwork, the county manager is authorized to sign “all required and necessary documents on behalf of Polk County, including but not limited to closing, funding, and loan administration documents,” Mr. Beasley said during the presentation. The agreement also contemplates subordination agreements and recorded restrictions on units financed with the loan proceeds.
The board approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript shows approval with no roll-call tally provided. The county indicated the SHIP allocation being used is a one-time state investment reserved through Polk’s SHIP partnership program and budgeted in the county’s affordable housing trust fund.
The action does not itself authorize project construction; subsequent development permits, financing closings and any required land-use or building approvals were not discussed as concluded in the hearing.
Polk County and the developer did not provide a construction start date at the meeting.
