Affordable Housing Advisory Committee urges dedicated funding source, better monitoring; City Commission asks county to join joint AHAC meetings

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee presented its 2025 annual report to the Sarasota City Commission on Nov. 3, recommending a package of steps the committee said are needed to produce and track more deeply affordable housing in the region.

John Thaxton, vice chair of the committee, summarized recommendations that include creation of a dedicated, recurring funding source for the city’s affordable housing trust fund (the committee suggested dedicating a small portion of property‑tax growth on a parcel’s bill to the trust fund), continued use of the city’s infrastructure surtax for affordability projects, and a stronger emphasis on monitoring to measure whether policies actually produce affordable units.

Thaxton said the committee’s analysis shows the greatest missing supply is for households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). He told commissioners that while the voluntary density program is delivering some units, the committee urges greater focus and resources for 80% AMI and below, including the possible use of mandatory inclusionary tools if state law permits. The committee also recommended continued convening between the city and county advisory committees; committee members said joint meetings facilitate shared information and larger solutions for an all‑one community.

Commission discussion focused on the mechanics: how large a dedicated tax slice might be, what monitoring datasets exist and how to improve them, and whether committees should be asked to resume joint meetings. Staff said city permitting software (permit tracking) can be adapted to provide better data on accessory dwelling units and other programs. Thaxton noted existing analyses showing large unmet need countywide — on the order of 15,000–20,000 affordable units over a 10‑year horizon — and argued the committee wants the city to increase subsidy focus below 100% AMI and prioritize 80% AMI or lower.

Action: Commissioner Ulrich moved, and Commissioner Ahren Koch seconded, a motion directing the city manager to request that the Sarasota County Commission facilitate regular joint meetings of the city and county affordable housing advisory committees. The motion passed unanimously.

Why this matters: The AHAC report lays out near‑term policy choices — dedicated funding, stronger monitoring, and a renewed emphasis on deeply affordable units — that could guide local capital and zoning decisions. The commission asked staff to bring the AHAC recommendations back for a dedicated discussion and directed staff to ask the county to join coordinated committee meetings.

Speakers and attributions Cindy Emshoff — General Manager, Office of Housing and Community Development (presented staff context) John Thaxton — Vice Chair, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; Director of Policy and Advocacy, Gulf Coast Community Foundation (delivered committee recommendations) Ryan Chaplin — Planning staff (referenced as tracking pipeline data) Interim City Manager Bullock and commissioners (asked questions; directed joint meetings)

Clarifying details The committee recommended consideration of dedicating a portion of property‑tax growth to a city affordable housing trust fund; the committee left the percentage unspecified to preserve commission discretion. The committee emphasized expanded monitoring and empirical evaluation of programs such as expedited permitting and ADU production; staff said permit software can be adapted to improve tracking. The committee reported a 10‑year regional shortfall estimate of roughly 15,000–20,000 affordable units by combining existing deficits and projected job growth incomes.

Outcome: City Commission accepted the AHAC report and unanimously directed the city manager to request county facilitation of joint meetings between the two advisory committees.