The William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act established a dedicated funding source for local governments to expand the production and preservation of affordable housing. One innovative feature of this Act, was the creation of the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, which provides funds to local governments to develop local housing strategies that encourage the creation of partnerships to conserve, improve, or provide new housing for income-eligible individuals and families.
In 1997 the Town of Davie became an “entitlement” recipient of State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program Funds; and, the Joint Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for Broward County was amended to include the Town of Davie. The Town’s Affordable Housing Incentive Plan was unanimously approved by the Town Council on April 1, 1998.
Since the original Incentive Plan was developed in 1998, the housing market in Davie has changed significantly, and housing costs and land values have continued to increase, making it difficult for many working families/individuals to rent or own a home. Therefore, the Incentive Plan was revised in the summer of 2003 to expand the level of incentives available to qualified developers of affordable housing, both for-profit and not-for-profit, to develop urgently needed affordable housing for Davie residents. The Plan also clarifies the relationship between the SHIP Program and the Town’s Consolidated Plan for Federal Funds 2002-2007, and more clearly defines the role of the Housing and Community Development Department in Davie’s development review.
Expediting Permits - The State Statutes require that the “processing of approvals of development orders or permits, as defined in State Statute 163.3164(7) and (8), for affordable housing projects is expedited to a greater degree than other projects”.
Based on this requirement, the Town’s Housing and Community Development Director was assigned to guide affordable housing developers through the permitting process; and, affordable housing projects/initiatives are expedited to a greater degree than all other projects in Davie.
The Housing and Community Development Director works closely with the Planning and Zoning Director, Town Engineer, and the Town’s Chief Building Official to ensure that any “glitches” in the permitting process for affordable housing initiatives are resolved in an expeditious manner.
Modification of Impact, Building Permit, and Related Fees - The original Incentive Plan waived all building permit fees for private not-for-profit developers of affordable housing that serves individuals or families who earn up to 80% of the median income for the Broward County area. However, given the high cost associated with the development of new affordable housing initiatives (particularly rental projects), and the lack of available affordable housing units to serve it’s current population, additional incentives were required approved in 2003 as follows:
The Director of Housing and Community Development carefully reviews all prospective affordable housing projects, and verifies their level of benefit and period of affordability. The waiver of all fees i.e., Park and Recreation Impact fees, Building Permit Fees, etc., is on this review. Deed restrictions or other covenants are required of all developers to ensure the level and period (length) of affordability is maintained.
Parking and Set-Back Requirements - Davie’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommended that Section 12-308 (b) (1) of the Davie Town Code be amended to permit a waiver of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of that which is permitted by Code, for affordable housing initiatives.
This incentive will allow the development of in-fill single family homes on vacant property not otherwise suited for development, and could significantly lower the cost of housing, since the land acquisition costs should be minimal. This recommendation requires a formal amendment to the Town Code.
In regard to parking requirements, precedents have been set regarding parking variances or reduced requirements for certain types of affordable housing developments. The majority of elderly projects require fewer parking spaces, since many older individuals, particularly those in public housing projects, have already given up their driving privileges.
Each affordable housing project is reviewed by the Housing and Community Development Director, and based on the target population to be served and the period of affordability, will make a recommendation on the reduction in parking requirements, if warranted.
Review of Proposed Policies and Procedures on Housing Costs - The Development Services Director identifies those proposed policies, procedures, plans, etc., that may impact the development of housing, and forward such to the Town’s Housing and Community Development Director for review and comment.
The Housing and Community Development Director then ensures that such proposed action is consistent with the Town’s adopted Consolidated Plan for Federal Funds, and does not negatively impact housing costs or produce a barrier to affordable housing. The Housing and Community Development Director can identify potential impediments to fair housing choices and other impacts on the provision of affordable housing. The Planning and Zoning Director will work closely with the Housing and Community Development Director to ensure consistency with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
Inventory of Publicly Owned Land - The Town’s Housing and Community Development Department works closely with the Development Services Depart- ment and the Davie Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to identify potential sites that are suitable for affordable development of housing.
Housing & Community Development Department - The Town’s Housing and Community Development Director reviews all proposed policies, procedures, plans, etc., that may impact the development of housing, in order to ensure that such proposed action is consistent with the Town’s adopted Consolidated Plan for Federal Funds, and does not negatively impact housing costs or produce a barrier to affordable housing. The Housing and Community Development Director will identify any potential impediments to fair housing choices and other impacts on the provision of affordable housing. The Planning and Zoning Director works closely with the Housing and Community Development Director to ensure consistency with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Director of Housing and Community Development carefully reviews all prospective affordable housing projects to verify their level of benefit and period of affordability, and recommend the waiver of Park and Recreation Impact fees, Building Permit Fees, etc., reductions in parking requirements if warranted, “Affordable Housing Density Bonuses” as applicable, and Deed restrictions or other covenants to ensure that the level and period (length) of affordability are maintained.
The Town’s Housing and Community Development Director guides affordable housing developers through the permitting process; and, affordable housing projects/initiatives will be expedited to a greater degree than all other projects in Davie.
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