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Staff reports dispersals, HOME‑ARP approval and new housing director at NAHAB meeting
Summary
Staff reported partial dispersals across multiple subrecipient projects, detailed several near‑complete capital projects, and announced City Council approved a $1.391 million HOME‑ARP award for Homeless Empowerment Program; Christopher Edwards was introduced as the new director.
At the March 17 Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting, staff provided a detailed update on subrecipient performance and disbursements and announced Council approval of a major HOME‑ARP award.
Housing manager Dylan Mayu said disbursements have been slower than planned because of last year’s federal government shutdown but provided line‑by‑line updates for many projects. Examples cited in staff’s report include: the Homeless Empowerment Program’s dining/kitchen renovation, $88,433 dispersed of $89,433 funded (ribbon cutting completed); St. Vincent de Paul’s emergency non‑congregate shelter, $62,587 dispersed of $100,000; Lyft playground funding of $110,330 with $73,245 dispersed; and Willow Carson Health and Wellness clinic rehabilitation ($112,250 funded, $62,325 dispersed). Mayu noted several public‑facilities projects are at the bid stage and that some service providers are still working through federal verification (SAVE) requirements for certain for‑profit service contractors.
In the director’s report, staff said City Council approved recommendation to fund 1718 North Betty with $1.391 million in HOME‑ARP funds, which will move forward to closing with anticipated activity in May. Dylan also updated the board on a 24‑unit owner‑occupied townhome project (1454 MLK) in partnership with Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services and Habitat for Humanity, with contingencies nearly complete and a planned closing in May or early June.
Christopher Edwards, the city’s newly hired director of economic development and housing, introduced himself to the board and offered his office’s cooperation: "I extend my complete gratitude... I'm excited about opportunities that are before Clearwater," he said.
Staff reminded the board the affordable housing inventory must be updated to satisfy a state statute (timeline adjusted by the Live Local Act) and said a revised inventory will be shared with the board before the July deadline. The board scheduled its next meeting for April 14 to review a draft budget as part of the 2026–27 annual action plan process.
