We examined affordable housing policies enacted by Florida’s local governments, effectiveness of such policies, and which policies constitute best practices for replication across the state. OPPAGA also examined the extent to which interlocal cooperation is used, effective, or hampered.
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program provides funds to local governments as an incentive for creating partnerships to produce and preserve affordable housing for renting and homeownership. OPPAGA examined data reported to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for Florida’s SHIP entities for Fiscal Years 2017-18 through 2019-20, which showed that local government use of SHIP funds has a positive impact on communities through assistance strategies that provide access to affordable housing for very low, low, and moderate income families. SHIP program participants also implemented incentive strategies, such as impact fee modifications, public lands inventories, and flexible densities, to support affordable housing.
OPPAGA surveyed county and municipal governments to gather information on local affordable housing policies, policy effectiveness, interlocal cooperation related to affordable housing. Most survey respondents reported encouraging mixed-income projects, utilizing expedited permitting, and implementing flexible zoning to support affordable housing. Policies identified as most effective varied by type of local government entity and population size. Many counties and cities reported engaging in interlocal cooperation to support affordable housing in local jurisdictions.
OPPAGA identified several best practices for supporting affordable housing based on survey responses and literature reviewed. These best practices include authorizing the use of accessory dwelling units, re-zoning to allow commercial-residential mixed-use development, and setting aside a portion of the units as affordable or for specific populations (e.g., teachers, law enforcement or the homeless).
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