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Trust fund set up for affordable housing
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Thursday, March 23, 2006 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – The county Board of Commissioners voted unanimously March 14 to add a new implement to its toolbox of ways to solve the growing problem of lack of affordable housing.
Amidst a crowd of supporters, many insistent on amending an ordinance establishing a community housing trust fund, commissioners decided to pass the ordinance as written.
The consensus was that the ordinance was the foundation to create the trust fund, which will provide a local source of revenue to finance construction of new affordable housing, as well as finance homebuyers programs and rental housing preservation.
The rules and policies, as well as a way “to fill the bucket” would come in subsequent public hearings, according to Anthony M. Jones, assistant director of the county community development division.
More than 60 people spoke in support of the ordinance. About 50 were members of Faith and Action for Strength Together, which is comprised of 29 church congregations throughout the county.
The Rev. Manual Sykes, representing FAST, told the board that while supportive of the action to do something to help with the affordable housing problem, the FAST organization did not believe the ordinance was adequate to help people in the lowest income brackets.
Sykes presented the commission with amendments that he said would ensure that the people making below 80 percent of the area median income would receive help.
Many FAST members, representing churches of all faiths from areas throughout the county, came to the podium. Most read the same statement.
“I urge you to adopt the FAST amendments to ensure that the money goes to those with the greatest housing needs and to ensure that the housing stays affordable. Stand fast with us,” they said.
Commissioners expressed sympathy to the concerns raised by FAST; however, Jones said that the ordinance was a collaborative effort with the county’s municipalities and funding partners. He said the ordinance allowed for flexibility and creativity. He said adding the FAST amendments would take away that flexibility.
“I don’t disagree with FAST,” Jones said. “But, this is just one tool in the tool box.”
He said other programs being developed address the needs of people living at or below the poverty level.
“A one size fits all solution is not easy (to affordable housing),” Jones said.
The commissioners studied the FAST amendments and agreed that some of the items would be better included during the rules and policies phase. FAST was encouraged to get involved with the county workgroup that developed the ordinance.
Sykes said FAST wanted its amendments as part of the ordinance, not the rules and policies because “laws last longer than officers.”
“I think we have a consensus,” said Commissioner Susan Latvala. “Nationally, there is a struggle going on with affordable versus workforce housing.”
Jones said establishing the ordinance was only the first phase in a three-phase process. He said county staff would present rules and policies for implementing the trust fund in the next six to eight weeks.
The next step would be to identify funding sources, “ways to fill the bucket,” he said.
Jones said currently it was “premature” to look at funding while state lawmakers were considering changing the cap on state funds that go to county housing programs.
“We get $9 million today,” Jones said. “We could get $30 million (if the cap was removed). We’re in a holding pattern. By the end of the summer we should know (if more money will be released to the county).”
Commissioner Calvin Harris thanked the members of FAST for attending the meeting.
“It’s good to have people on two floors (of the courthouse) to make sure everyone has a place to live,” he said. “I’m glad you support our vision. Philosophically, I think we’re all saying the same thing.”
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Article published on Thursday, March 23, 2006
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