(PENSACOLA, FL.) --- What is affordable housing?
That is the question the City of Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) discussed at length at the September 1 meeting when considering developer incentives. Chair Crystal Scott immediately noted, “When people talk about affordable housing, affordable to who?”
Committee Member Keith Branch, with Good Foundations, Inc., pointed out, “affordable housing isn't necessarily just low-income housing.”
The definition of “affordable housing” is based on the 30% income standard in the annual review of the incentive plan that includes Extremely Low Income (ELI), Very Low Income (VLI), Low Income (LI), and Moderate Income levels. The AHAC discussed incorporating an affordable housing definition into the Land Development Code (LDC) while now focusing on including Community Land Trust (CLT) language in the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP).
Photo Credit: City of Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee discusses developers' incentives
Scott said the purpose of these incentives is to "serve these income levels."
"For context, low income is between 50 and 80% AMI (Average Median Income)," Scott said.
By definition, Branch noted, “affordable is what is my income and what is 30% or less of my monthly income.”
“We're dealing with a situation where we don't have affordable housing for not just lower income but middle income, even upper middle income, is having a hard time finding quote-unquote affordable housing by that 30% threshold,” Branch said.
Figures aside, when it comes to developer incentives, Chair Paul Ritz said there's already an incentive on increasing density.
Photo Credit: City of Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee agenda document presented at the September 1 meeting
“It's been on the city books, I'm gonna say 20 years, but don't quote me on the exact number,” Ritz said. “It says if you do affordable housing, you can increase the number of units in your development by this much.
But in the city of Pensacola, it's been used almost zero times, according to Ritz, who said, unfortunately, when developers look at the Rate of interest, they say, 'it's not worth it.'” The state's Live Local Act is worth noting, as officials said it greatly influences developer decisions on density bonuses compared to local city incentives.
“I know that a lot of AHACs recommend some language or some definition, like in an opening paragraph somewhere before the incentives start,” Scott said.
Photo Credit: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Chair Crystal Scott, left, and Vice Chair Paul Ritz, right, at the September 1 meeting
That is exactly what the committee did, unanimously passing a motion to insert a clearer definition based on the 30% income standard from LHAP.
The next AHAC meeting is October 6 at 9 a.m. in the Vince Whibbs Conference Room, 221 W. Main St., Pensacola.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at angela.u@lead4earth.org.
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