Hallandale Beach CRA approves affordable rental housing framework and boosts District 8 business-relief budget to $500,000

The Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on March 18 approved a framework for an Affordable Rental Housing Program and also approved District 8 relief programs for businesses affected by ongoing construction, amending the allocation to $500,000.

Director Butler moved the resolution to create an Affordable Rental Housing Program, a framework item that authorizes the executive director to implement the program and set policies and procedures; the motion passed on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0. During discussion Butler raised the prospect of pairing housing assistance with measures to reduce residents’ cost of living—solar panels and reduced-cost internet were given as examples for future consideration.

Assistant/Director Finn described two District 8 programs the board approved for implementation: a rent-stabilization program that will pay up to 50% of a tenant’s rent or a mortgage payment for up to 12 months while construction runs (construction is slated to end in 2027), and a forgivable loan/grant of up to $20,000 intended to cover operating expenses such as salaries and utilities for businesses that can show a decline in revenue prior to construction. “The 1st program is the rent stabilization program. This is a program that will pay up to 50% of their rent or their mortgage for up to a period of 12 months,” Director Finn said. “The 2nd program is a loan that is also a forgivable grant up to $20,000…they do have to show that before construction started that there was a decline in revenue and sales.”

Board members discussed the scope of need; one official said approximately 57 businesses could be affected across all phases. Director Butler proposed increasing the program budget to ensure equitable access rather than strict first-come, first-served distribution; the board amended the motion and voted to raise the allocation to $500,000. Dr. Earl said staff can scale programs and return as needed if additional funds are required.

The meeting also included staff summaries of recent CRA investments in the Northwest Side — Dr. Earl noted a Foster Road streetscape project of over $5,000,000 and a City Center project of about $50,000,000 that is now leasing; a 12-story affordable housing project by a developer called Dragonfly was described as planned across from City Center.

Next steps: staff will market the District 8 programs to affected businesses and return with implementation details, scoring criteria and application requirements; the board asked staff to consider non-financial mitigation and outreach options to assist small and sole-proprietor businesses.