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Commissioners approve deed transfer, MOU to support community land trust for moderate‑income housing
Summary
The board voted to convey a parcel and execute an MOU to support the Home Alliance Community Land Trust; presenters said a $250,000 DuPont Foundation grant and other contributions will seed homes priced to remain affordable long term.
Commissioners authorized a deed transfer and memorandum of understanding to help launch the Home Alliance Community Land Trust, a nonprofit initiative presented as a tool to preserve long‑term affordability for teachers, first responders and moderate‑income workers.
Kathy Gilbert, identified as director of the Gulf County Citizens Recovery Team, told the board the land‑trust model will separate land ownership from homeownership to keep resale prices controlled and preserve affordability. “We have received $250,000 in grant funding from the DuPont Foundation specifically for this project,” Gilbert said, and staff noted a $5,000 gift from Duke Energy. Gilbert described the proposed resale cap and a typical household scenario with an estimated monthly payment of about $1,600 including a $50 land lease payment.
Board members discussed reversionary language that would allow the county to reclaim property if the partner organization fails to build the targeted moderate‑income homes on schedule. Staff and the presenter said the MOU will include a reverter clause and other guardrails; the board voted to transfer the deed and authorize the chairman to sign the MOU (motion passed 5‑0).
The action authorizes staff to complete the deed transfer with a reversionary provision; board members asked staff to return with final documents rather than rely on verbal assurances before closing the transaction.
Sources: presentation and motion recorded at the March 31 meeting.
