Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer pitches 100+ affordable units in Avon Park; CRA counsel warns loans are legally constrained
Summary
Green Mills Group and local partners pitched a proposed 106–110 unit affordable development and asked for local support to secure a $340,000 state funding goal; CRA counsel explained CRAs typically cannot originate loans and outlined alternatives including grants, ground leases and property acquisition to satisfy Florida Housing requirements.
Developers from Green Mills Group presented a proposal to Avon Park’s CRA advisory on Thursday for a 100‑plus unit affordable housing development on a site the presenters said is under contract for $220,000. The proposal would deliver family-focused units plus amenities and aim to qualify for competitive state funding by securing a local government contribution for the Florida Housing program.
Charles Anderson (presenter) described the intent to build family affordable housing that is “truly affordable” and “looks like a resort,” saying the developer’s model emphasizes long-term affordability and on-site services. Manny Diaz, development manager at Green Mills Group, said their product is professionally managed, deeply affordable (targeting households at or below 80% AMI), and typically carries long-term covenants to preserve rents.
The developers said the project would need zoning/density changes to reach roughly 16–18 units per acre and build approximately 106 units (two- and three-bedroom mix). They showed renderings and amenity plans (clubhouse, pool, community garden) and argued the site is suitable for a family project rather than senior-only housing.
On financing, presenters said a Local Government Area Opportunity Loan (LGO/LJO) or similar local contribution is a key competitive factor in Florida Housing’s 9% tax credit evaluation; they cited a $340,000 local contribution figure mentioned in Florida Housing materials. “With that $340,000 contribution…we can apply for that LJO for that goal,” a presenter said.
CRA advisory counsel (CRA Attorney Shepard) told the group a critical restraint: CRAs are generally not authorized to function as banks and typically cannot originate loans to developers. He outlined legal alternatives the city could consider, including a grant or affordable housing fund from the general fund, a capitalized ground lease (99‑year lease) to preserve nonprofit land ownership, or the CRA purchasing and conveying land to demonstrate local support. Counsel stressed that any local contribution should be structured with covenants and verification to ensure promised affordability is delivered.
Residents and local stakeholders asked detailed questions about tenant vetting, management, demand and potential competition with existing subsidized housing. The executive director of the local housing authority said the proposal would compete with existing HUD‑subsidized properties and could reduce the authority’s occupancy-driven revenue, potentially jeopardizing its loan covenants. Developers responded that professional onsite management, background checks, camera systems and access controls are standard features, and emphasized strong waitlists and demand in the region.
No final commitment of local funds was made; counsel and staff recommended further legal and financial analysis to determine whether the city would provide an LGO-style loan, a grant, property conveyance or other support to make the project competitive for state funding.
