CRA advisory board recommends donating four northwest parcels to Broward County Habitat-led team for permanent homeownership

The Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency advisory board recommended awarding four surplus CRA parcels in the northwest neighborhood to a developer team led by Broward County Habitat to build permanently affordable owner-occupied homes.

Staff told the board the parcels—identified in the record as sites in the Northwest area—were transferred by the city to the CRA in 2021 for affordable housing. An RFP produced competitive proposals; staff said the evaluation committee (Joe Delaney, Lainie Ward and Corey Richfield, plus a certified general contractor) unanimously scored the Habitat-led proposal highest and recommended awarding the project to Broward County Habitat and its partners.

The committee presentation described the program model: the nonprofit developer will manage development from design through closing, provide homeowner readiness education, require owner sweat equity (staff noted a 300-hour ‘‘sweat equity’’ requirement for program participants), and operate a low foreclosure history among similar programs. Staff said the CRA parcel donations will be made in “as is” condition and, aside from the land donation, the CRA would not supply additional financial assistance unless separately authorized.

Under questions from board members, staff said the award is based on three evaluation factors: alignment with CRA plan policies and responsiveness to the RFP, demonstrated construction quality, and financial capacity and development experience. Staff also noted the project will preserve affordability limits tied to the RFP’s terms and the interlocal obligations guiding the CRA.

The advisory board moved to recommend the award to the CRA board; members voted in favor. Next steps, staff said, include finalizing the development agreement and any deed restrictions needed to maintain long-term affordability.