Committee asks staff to craft condo assessment‑relief program options for financially vulnerable residents

Housing staff reviewed the county’s paused condo special‑assessment program and sketched how a city‑level program might work. The county program, staff said, would provide up to $50,000 per property at 0% interest for 40 years and is expected to reopen with an allocation of roughly $15 million; staff suggested the city could design a complementary program or a revolving loan fund funded by developer contributions.

Commissioners debated eligibility: whether to use AMI thresholds like the county (up to 140% AMI), residency duration (long‑term homesteaders), senior priority, and whether to avoid using federally restricted funds (SHIP) that would impose stricter AMI limits. Staff proposed a shorter repayment window for city dollars to recycle funds rather than matching the county’s 40‑year term. Commissioners asked staff to bring back a set of recommended criteria and possible funding sources — and to coordinate with the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee — before making funding decisions.