09/10/2024 - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024
Committee
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
e
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024
Committee
Rollcall
Present: 8 - Christine Bond, Robyn Fiel, Linda Byars, Charessa Doty, David
Harder, Michael Boutzoukas, Michael Mannino and Cheri DeBlaere
Absent: 3 - Lindsay Dicus-Harrison, Camille Hebting and Rick Vail
Also Present: Dylan Mayeux - Economic Development & Housing Real Estate
Coordinator, Amanda Warner— Wade Trim, Planner, and Rosemarie Call — City
Clerk.
1. Call to Order— Chair Fiel
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. New Business
2.1 Wade Trim to lead a discussion for the first meeting of the 2024 Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee.
Wade Trim to lead a discussion for the first meeting of the 2024 Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee.
Wade Trim Consultant Amanda Warner provided a PowerPoint
presentation. She reviewed the committee process and the current
affordable housing values, principles, vision, and incentive areas.
Discussion ensued with comments made that skyrocketing rent and
utility costs, lack of affordable housing, low area wages not supporting
available housing, unreliable public bus system, rising interest rates, an
increasing home affordability gap, a growing investor-driven residential
market, and upcoming milestone assessments for condominiums are
barriers to affordable housing. It was suggested that consideration be given
to implement incentives that lower closing costs by reducing inspection or
loan processing fees, enact interest rate buy downs to help facilitate home
ownership, encourage the construction or rehabilitation of accessory dwelling
units or new condominium developments. It was stated that reevaluating how
property taxes are calculated when the site is rented as affordable housing
per HUD guidelines may be another incentive worth considering.
In response to questions, Terry Malcolm Smith said the State SHIP
program allows affordability to be defined up to 140% MFI (Median
Family Income), but the City's local housing assistance plan is 120%
because there is not enough money to assist individuals over 80%. She
said staff will confirm with the State if the Committee is required to review
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee
Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024
or approve the policies and procedures established by the City. Ms.
Warner said it is in the Committee's purview to review policy and make
recommendations to City Council. Recommendations related to
procedures would be included in the plan for staff adoption.
One individual encouraged Committee members to review the housing
study provided earlier this year and recommended staff create a
one -pager that summarizes the study. She suggested the Committee
review the City's measurable goals for housing and data for the last five
years to determine if the housing strategies are working.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda
Kathleen Beckman encouraged all who care about the housing
challenges renters face and the state of homelessness in our community
to join the Continuum of Care as a non-voting member for free or as a
voting member for $25 annually.
4. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:54 a.m.
Chair, Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee
Attest:
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City of Clearwater