This Week's Housing Discussion - Among the benefits of all the public comment taken this week on the proposed density-bonus comprehensive plan amendment were the new perspectives and new players that were brought to the table. One of the things that was said a number of times during the discussion does merit some additional information, a comment that had a version on each side of the issue; either "don't let this density bonus program be the first thing the city does to address our housing issues!", or "if you don't adopt this program, you will have done nothing to address our housing issues!"
For the benefit of those who came later than some to the conversation, I would like to offer some information as to what work has already been done. First and foremost is the work that's been done by the joint City/County Office of Housing and Community Development, which has put hundreds of families in afffordable homes through downpayment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs, as well as providing fix-up assistance and larger scale financing assistance for affordable rental communities such as University Park. They's also hosted an annual "Housing Summit" fo many years. I believe I've referred to their work on this blog in the past.
The city's Community Redevelopment Area is being expanded into north Sarasota to allow some of the tax increment funds being generated downtown to be exported to generate housing where land prices are lower, and where need exists as well. Thjis is a complimentary effort to the density bonus program, and will provide significant opportunities once the legal process has been completed.
The City Commission also provided $100,000 to the Housing Authority to help fund the development advisor who will guide the mixed- income redevelopment of the Cohen Way public housing project, and is providing staff to assist. We are also working in partnershipwith the Community Housing Trust, which is looking at projects within the city limits and helping structure some of our programming. The city has also provided many buildable lots over the years to not-for-profit developers like Goodhomes.
This is a very quick summary, and I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but I wanted to get information out there that much is being and has been done. Has the problem been solved? Certainly not, but just as certainly the density bonus proposal is not the first effort out of the box.
For the benefit of those who came later than some to the conversation, I would like to offer some information as to what work has already been done. First and foremost is the work that's been done by the joint City/County Office of Housing and Community Development, which has put hundreds of families in afffordable homes through downpayment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs, as well as providing fix-up assistance and larger scale financing assistance for affordable rental communities such as University Park. They's also hosted an annual "Housing Summit" fo many years. I believe I've referred to their work on this blog in the past.
The city's Community Redevelopment Area is being expanded into north Sarasota to allow some of the tax increment funds being generated downtown to be exported to generate housing where land prices are lower, and where need exists as well. Thjis is a complimentary effort to the density bonus program, and will provide significant opportunities once the legal process has been completed.
The City Commission also provided $100,000 to the Housing Authority to help fund the development advisor who will guide the mixed- income redevelopment of the Cohen Way public housing project, and is providing staff to assist. We are also working in partnershipwith the Community Housing Trust, which is looking at projects within the city limits and helping structure some of our programming. The city has also provided many buildable lots over the years to not-for-profit developers like Goodhomes.
This is a very quick summary, and I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but I wanted to get information out there that much is being and has been done. Has the problem been solved? Certainly not, but just as certainly the density bonus proposal is not the first effort out of the box.
posted by Michael McNees at 12:07 PM
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