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AHAC Agenda 01/08/20181 COLLIER COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) 5th Floor Meeting Room – Building F January 8, 2018 8:30 A.M. AHAC COMMITTEE MEMBERS Steve Hruby, AHAC Chairman Taylor McLaughlin, Vice-Chair John Cowan, AHAC Member Denise Murphy, AHAC Member Mary Walller, AHAC Member Scott Kish, AHAC Member Joseph Schmitt, AHAC Member Litha Berger, AHAC Member Dr. Carlos Portu, AHAC Member Christina Apostolidis, AHAC Member Vacant, Advocate for Low-Inc. Persons COLLIER COUNTY STAFF Kim Grant, Director, Community and Human Services Cormac Giblin, Housing and Grant Development Manager Barbetta Hutchinson, Operations Coordinator CHS Jason Rummer, Operations Analyst, Public Services NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. ALL REGISTERED SPEAKERS WILL RECEIVE UP TO THREE (3) MINUTES UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN. DURING COMMITTEE DISCUSSION, COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY ASK DIRECT QUESTIONS TO INDIVIDUALS. PLEASE WAIT TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD BEFORE COMMENTING. IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE. 1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. ROLL CALL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF 3. APROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES a. Approval of today’s agenda b. Approval of 12-4-17 AHAC Regular meeting minutes 4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS – n/a 5. PUBLIC COMMENT a. Persons wishing to speak must register prior to speaking. All registered speakers will receive up to three (3) minutes unless the time is adjusted by the Chairman. 2 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS a. (Continued from 12-4-17 meeting) Recommendation of new AHAC Member- Advocate for Low-Income Persons Position i. Candidates: 1. Emens 2. Buzzacco-Foerster 3. Soukup 4. Hollander 5. Winge 6. Melvin b. Distribution of 2018-2019 HUD Entitlement Grants Application Timeline c. Recommendation of Appointment of One AHAC Member to the 2018-2019 HUD Entitlement Grants Review and Ranking Committee (presentation dates March 22-23) d. Discussion regarding housing that is Affordable “Marketing and Outreach Plan” 7. STAFF AND COMMITTEE GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS 8. ADJOURN NEXT AHAC MEETING DATE: Feb 5, 2018 MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE December 4, 2017 8:30 A.M. Naples, Florida LET IT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee met on this date at 8:30 A.M. in a WORKING SESSION at 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Building F, 3rd, Board Room, Naples, Florida, with the following Members present: Present: Steve Hruby, Chair Taylor McLaughlin, Vice Chair John Cowan Mary Waller (arrived at 8:33 am) Litha Berger (arrived at 8:33 am) Denise Murphy Christina Apostolidis Scott Kish Excused: Joseph Schmitt Carlos Portu ALSO PRESENT: Cormac Giblin – Housing & Grants Development Manager Barbetta Hutchinson, Operations Coordinator – CHS Jason Rummer – Operations Analyst – Public Services OTHERS PRESENT: Jean Kungle; George Danz; James Molenaar, Clerk of Courts; Crystal Kinzel, Clerk of Courts: Hannah Vogel, WINK News; Barbara Melvin. 1. CALL TO ORDER Steve Hruby called the meeting to order at 8:30 A.M. and read the procedures to be observed during the meeting. He led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. ROLL CALL – COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF Eight members were in attendance; therefore, a quorum was established. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES a. Setting the calendar for meetings for next year was added to the agenda as 7A. A motion was made to approve the agenda as amended by Taylor McLaughlin and was seconded by Denise Murphy. The motion passed by a vote of 8-0. b. Mary Waller made a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of November 6, and Litha Berger seconded. The motion passed by a vote of 8-0. 2 4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS NONE. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS a. Cormac reviewed the applicants for the open position on the committee of “advocate for low income persons”. The group had discussion about the candidates. Kim told the group that certain candidates could apply for funds through CHS and there could be a potential conflict of interest. If this happened, the person could not apply for funds or refuse to vote on anything regarding their group. Kim said she would check with the BCC office to see if the group could interview applicants as there were more than one that would fit the qualifications. She would also let Barbara Melvin know that her application has expired and ask her to reapply. Litha Berger motioned to table this item to the next meeting, Mary Waller seconded and the group voted unanimously to accept the recommendation. b. Apartment Report – Jason Rummer gave the 3rd quarter report, reviewing a graph that depicts the past 3.5 years showing that home prices increased 18.8%, median income increased 8.6% and affordability decreased 4.7%. Next month he will have numbers of available homes. c. Cormac updated the group regarding the implementation of the Community Housing Plan. Dec 12th BCC: •Request for Information (RFI) item county owned lands. •Discuss Bembridge PUD of 5 acres and Manatee Park with 60 acres. Feb 27th BCC: •Adopt New Definition of Affordable Housing – Housing Affordability •Adopt new Housing Demand Methodology •Advocate for full funding of the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund •Amend the Affordable Housing Density Bonus (AHDB) program •Adopt a policy to address housing that is affordable in future public land acquisitions. •Adopt amended Impact Fee Relief program (extend rental deferrals) •Create a concurrent zoning review/approval process to reduce the cost of affordable housing construction and expedite new housing • Develop a process for commercial to residential conversions •Develop guidelines to incentivize mixed income residential housing in future and redeveloped activity centers Cormac said he will have a draft presentation ready for the group to see before it is presented at the meeting on February 27th. Mary Waller asked if we were working with Kathleen Passidomo on her bill. Cormac answered in the affirmative. 3 Christina Apostolidis asked if we will own or lease the land. Steve Hruby stated that we should give a long-term lease in order to keep the homes built on it affordable for a long time. Litha Berger said that she felt the key to keep the community active was to keep them aware of what was happening. She said Naples Daily News should be a major conduit. Kim said that the 1¢ sales tax was in the news and it goes to affordable housing, so that is one way we keep it current. Christina said that the affordable housing project is on the frontline of the federal tax reform as well. 7. ADJOURN a. The group discussed next year’s meeting dates. Discussion was made regarding changing the time of the meetings back to 8:00 a.m. The group agreed to change the meeting time. The meetings will be held the first Monday of each month with the exceptions of January and November, when they be held on the second Monday due to holidays. b. There being no further business for the good of the County, the meeting was adjourned at 9:11 a.m. after being motioned by Mary Waller, seconded by Taylor McLaughlin and having a final vote of 8-0. NEXT MEETING: JANUARY 8, 2018 Location: 5th Floor Training Room, Administration (Building F) located at 3299 Tamiami Trail East. COLLIER COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE _________________________________ Stephen Hruby, Chairman The foregoing Minutes were approved by Committee Chair on ______________________, 2018, “as submitted” [__] OR “as amended” [__]. Advisory Board Application Form Collier County Government 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 800 Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8400 Application was received on: 10/10/2017 1:37:27 PM. Name: Justin Lee Emens Home Phone: 239-216-2607 Home Address: 597 Corbel Dr City: Naples Zip Code: 34110 Phone Numbers Business: 239-403-6696 E-Mail Address: justin.emens@iberiabank.com Board or Committee: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Category: Not indicated Place of Employment: IberiaBank How long have you lived in Collier County: more than 15 How many months out of the year do you reside in Collier County: I am a year-round resident Have you been convicted or found guilty of a criminal offense (any level felony or first degree misdemeanor only)? No Not Indicated Do you or your employer do business with the County? Yes IberiaBank provides operating and money market deposit accounts for Collier Mosquito Control and have previously provided banking and financial services for various other County services. NOTE: All advisory board members must update their profile and notify the Board of County Commissioners in the event that their relationship changes relating to memberships of organizations that may benefit them in the outcome of advisory board recommendations or they enter into contracts with the County. Would you and/or any organizations with which you are affiliated benefit from decisions or recommendations made by this advisory board? Yes Its possible but unlikely. As a financial institution that generates revenue from lending to single family and multifamily developers/builders, a decision or recommendation by this committee could impact whether or not a loan is made. It would be prudent to err on the side of caution. Are you a registered voter in Collier County? Yes Do you currently hold an elected office? No Do you now serve, or have you ever served on a Collier County board or committee? No Not Indicated Please list your community activities and positions held: Education: Master of Science Real Estate, University of Florida Bachelor of Science, Finance, FGCU High School Graduate, Barron Collier High School Experience / Background Seventeen years in Finance and Real Estate through Commercial Banking and Capital Market Lending for Investment Real Estate. During my career I have been involved with over $1B in Commercial Real Estate transactions. A Naples native, I began my career as a formally trained Real Estate Analyst in Commercial Mortgage Banking and Capital Markets. I currently manage a team of five that oversees more than $300MM in Loan Commitments and $550MM in Commercial Deposits. Advisory Board Application Form Collier County Government 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 800 Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8400 Application was received on: 10/2/2017 2:41:35 PM. Name: Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster Home Phone: 330-518-0370 Home Address: 4572 25th CT SW City: Naples Zip Code: 34116 Phone Numbers Business: 239-298-7929 E-Mail Address: jenna@napleschamber.org Board or Committee: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Category: Advocate for Low Income Persons Place of Employment: Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce How long have you lived in Collier County: 10-15 How many months out of the year do you reside in Collier County: I am a year-round resident Have you been convicted or found guilty of a criminal offense (any level felony or first degree misdemeanor only)? No Not Indicated Do you or your employer do business with the County? Yes The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce has a contract with the county for economic development and visitors information services. NOTE: All advisory board members must update their profile and notify the Board of County Commissioners in the event that their relationship changes relating to memberships of organizations that may benefit them in the outcome of advisory board recommendations or they enter into contracts with the County. Would you and/or any organizations with which you are affiliated benefit from decisions or recommendations made by this advisory board? No Not Indicated Are you a registered voter in Collier County? Yes Do you currently hold an elected office? No Do you now serve, or have you ever served on a Collier County board or committee? No Not Indicated Please list your community activities and positions held: -- Currently a mentor at Grace Place Education: -- Bachelor's degree in journalism from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa Experience / Background -- 10 years at the Naples Daily News covering a variety of state and local government issues, including affordable/workforce housing; budgets; and growth & development Advisory Board Application Form Collier County Government 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 800 Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8400 Application was received on: 7/31/2017 2:05:52 PM. Name: Sheryl Soukup Home Phone: Home Address: 2370 PINEWOODS CIR City: NAPLES Zip Code: 34105 Phone Numbers Business: 239-234-5596 E-Mail Address: Sheryl@SoukupStrategicSolutions.com Board or Committee: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Category: Not indicated Place of Employment: Soukup Strategic Solutions How long have you lived in Collier County: 5-10 How many months out of the year do you reside in Collier County: I am a year-round resident Have you been convicted or found guilty of a criminal offense (any level felony or first degree misdemeanor only)? No Not Indicated Do you or your employer do business with the County? No Not Indicated NOTE: All advisory board members must update their profile and notify the Board of County Commissioners in the event that their relationship changes relating to memberships of organizations that may benefit them in the outcome of advisory board recommendations or they enter into contracts with the County. Would you and/or any organizations with which you are affiliated benefit from decisions or recommendations made by this advisory board? Yes Decisions that promote affordable housing in Collier could benefit some of my clients who seek to develop or rehabilitate affordable housing in Collier County. I am aware of the need to avoid any conflict of interest and would declare any affiliations and potential conflicts, and I would recuse myself from discussions or voting that involves any of my clients or any organization for which I serve as a Board member or officer. Are you a registered voter in Collier County? Yes Do you currently hold an elected office? No Do you now serve, or have you ever served on a Collier County board or committee? No Not Indicated Please list your community activities and positions held: Current: Collier Resource Center, Board Secretary Connection Coalition of SWFL, Board Chair Association of Fundraising Professionals, Member Past: Collier County Public Schools, Lake Trafford Elementary School Advisory Council Entrepreneur Society of America, Board of Directors Family Café, Board of Directors Family Care Council, District 8 Chair Family Care Council Florida, Council Member Families First of Southwest Florida, Board of Directors Faith In Action Southwest Florida, Coalition Advisory Board Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Medicaid Reform Advisory Board Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Residential Options Work Group Florida Institute on Community and Disability, Board of Directors Florida Respite Coalition, Regional Advisory Board Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, NBH Service Team Greater Naples Planned Giving Council, Member Immokalee Foundation, Board of Directors Immokalee Housing Collaborative Interfaith Florida, Board of Directors Leadership Collier, Class of 2008 N.A.P.L.E.S. Group, Member Peace Lutheran Church - Church Council Rotary Club of Immokalee, Board School District of Lee County, Exceptional Student Education Advisory Council School District of Lee County, Gateway Elementary School Advisory Council School District of Lee County, Project Transition Committee Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Lee County Chapter, Board of Directors Education: University of Massachusetts, Amherst B.S. Microbiology Experience / Background President of Soukup Strategic Solutions (providing consulting services for nonprofit organizations); provide support for a variety of clients, including those who specialize in the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing and emergency shelter for special needs populations. Past Executive Director of Immokalee Housing and Family Services (2006-2010); In that role, managed two affordable housing developments (Sanders Pines and Timber Ridge) and worked on the initial development of Esperanza Place; also implemented 12+ CDBG projects funded by Collier County; work was recognized with the National Community Development Association's Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award in 2010. Currently serve as Executive Director of Residential Options of Florida (ROOF) which has a mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to successfully obtain and maintain affordable and inclusive housing of their choice. Founder and Executive Director of ROOF Housing Trust, Florida's first and only statewide community land trust, with a mission to ensure that Floridians with intellectual and developmental disabilities have affordable and inclusive housing choices by acquiring, creating and preserving affordable housing in perpetuity, using the community land trust model. Presenter at Florida Housing Coalition's annual conference on affordable housing for the past three years and scheduled to present again in September 2017. CFRE – Certified Fund Raising Executive – CFRE International (NCCA Accredited Program) – #57786 Registered Fundraising Consultant – Florida Department of Consumer Services – #FC37117 C3 Nonprofit Coach - Community Foundation of Collier County Nonprofit Capacity Coach – Southwest Florida Community Foundation Advisory Board Application Form Collier County Government 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 800 Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8400 Application was received on: 7/17/2017 6:15:14 PM. Name: Carol Hollander Home Phone: 239 348-2311 Home Address: 470 Logan Blvd So. City: Naples Zip Code: 34119 Phone Numbers Business: 239 692-8779 E-Mail Address: carol@providencehousenaples.org Board or Committee: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Category: Not indicated Place of Employment: Providence House How long have you lived in Collier County: more than 15 How many months out of the year do you reside in Collier County: I am a year-round resident Have you been convicted or found guilty of a criminal offense (any level felony or first degree misdemeanor only)? No Not Indicated Do you or your employer do business with the County? Yes Providence House is a nonprofit organization that provides a faith-based, transitional housing and self-sufficiency program for motivated women with young children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. NOTE: All advisory board members must update their profile and notify the Board of County Commissioners in the event that their relationship changes relating to memberships of organizations that may benefit them in the outcome of advisory board recommendations or they enter into contracts with the County. Would you and/or any organizations with which you are affiliated benefit from decisions or recommendations made by this advisory board? Yes Once the women leave our program, they need affordable housing. I would like to be involved in discussions leading to ideas on how Collier can be active is this issue that affects so many working class residents. Are you a registered voter in Collier County? Yes Do you currently hold an elected office? No Do you now serve, or have you ever served on a Collier County board or committee? No Not Indicated Please list your community activities and positions held: Volunteer with hospice, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member, animal rescue, panel chair United Way Allocation Committee. Education: High School. But hey, I'm older, I've got lots of experience. Experience / Background Senior management mortgage industry, partner in mortgage company, previously licensed real estate agent, mortgage broker. Advisory Board Application Form Collier County Government 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 800 Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8400 Application was received on: 7/12/2017 5:24:31 PM. Name: Jacob Winge Home Phone: 2393316501 Home Address: 4520 benfield rd City: naples Zip Code: 34114 Phone Numbers Business: 2393316501 E-Mail Address: jacobwingecr@gmail.com Board or Committee: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Category: Resident Place of Employment: Ave Maria School of Law How long have you lived in Collier County: more than 15 How many months out of the year do you reside in Collier County: I am a year-round resident Have you been convicted or found guilty of a criminal offense (any level felony or first degree misdemeanor only)? No Not Indicated Do you or your employer do business with the County? No Not Indicated NOTE: All advisory board members must update their profile and notify the Board of County Commissioners in the event that their relationship changes relating to memberships of organizations that may benefit them in the outcome of advisory board recommendations or they enter into contracts with the County. Would you and/or any organizations with which you are affiliated benefit from decisions or recommendations made by this advisory board? No Not Indicated Are you a registered voter in Collier County? Yes Do you currently hold an elected office? No Do you now serve, or have you ever served on a Collier County board or committee? Yes CLAAC Please list your community activities and positions held: Civic Organizations: Board of Directors, Friends of the Collier County Museum- Member- 2009-2013, 2016-present - Manages a nearly two-hundred-thousand-dollar budget and plans events, festivals, and fundraisers for the museum system between five locations. President 2017- 19 Board of Directors, Greater Naples Better Government Committee – Member- 2014-present - Interviews, endorses, and evaluates elected officials and candidates for state and local office, as well as lead advocacy efforts on state and local issues effecting Collier County and Florida government. Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Board- Member- 2016-present - Appointed unanimously by the Board of County Commissioners for a 3-year term. Oversees Conservation Program, Land Acquisitions and makes recommendations to the BCC. Education: Education/Professional Development M.S. Management – Organizational Leadership- Hodges University- 2019 expected B.A.S Management- HR Concentration - Florida SouthWestern State College- 2015 -Dean’s List- Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015 G.A.I.N (Growing Associates in Naples-Leadership Collier Foundation) – 2015 -Session Chairs Tourism and Education -Class of 2016 Center for Non-Profit Excellence- Hodges University- Certificate in Non-Profit Operations 2016 Experience / Background Employment: Florida SouthWestern State College- Office of Student Life Assistant- June 2014- July 2015 - Organized and planned events and activities on campus, managed the day-to-day operations of the office including customer service, budget, and student development programming. Coordinated marketing plans and developed leadership training programs. Also managed office payroll. Collier County- Volunteer Coordinator, Parks and Recreation Division- July 2015- March 2016 - Managed, developed and marketed the Department's Volunteer Program to attract potential volunteers and established volunteer work programs. Managed expenses associated with the Department's Volunteer Program budget. Developed strategic plans for the division. Coordinated training and retention programs. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens- Development Associate –April 2016-April 2017 - Processes gifts and acknowledgements, grants, press releases, and provides administrative support. Cultivates donor relations and community support. Ave Maria School of Law – Admissions Recruiter – March 2017 – Present - Targets and markets prospective students, develops recruiting strategies, maintain marketing plans and budgets, give tours, meet with students. Internship: Hon. State Representative Kathleen C. Passidomo (R-106) –District Office- July-August 2011 Student/Collegiate Organizations: Edison State College Student Government Association- Collier Campus- President- 2012-2013 Edison State College-Wide Student Government Association- Founding Chairman- 2012-2013 Florida College System Student Government Association- State President- 2013-2014 Advisory Board Application Form Collier County Government 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 800 Naples, FL 34112 (239) 252-8400 Application was received on: 3/21/2016 11:27:29 AM. Name: Barbara Melvin Home Phone: 239-348-2742 Home Address: 9234 Campanile Circle Unit 102 City: Naples Zip Code: 34114 Phone Numbers Business: 239-248-8474 E-Mail Address: barbaramelvin@ffibank.com Board or Committee: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Category: Not indicated Place of Employment: First Florida Integrity Bank How long have you lived in Collier County: 10-15 How many months out of the year do you reside in Collier County: I am a year-round resident Have you been convicted or found guilty of a criminal offense (any level felony or first degree misdemeanor only)? No Not Indicated Do you or your employer do business with the County? Yes We have some of their bank accounts NOTE: All advisory board members must update their profile and notify the Board of County Commissioners in the event that their relationship changes relating to memberships of organizations that may benefit them in the outcome of advisory board recommendations or they enter into contracts with the County. Would you and/or any organizations with which you are affiliated benefit from decisions or recommendations made by this advisory board? Yes Making homes affordable will help us to lend money to clients who are in need of affordable homes Are you a registered voter in Collier County? Yes Do you currently hold an elected office? No Do you now serve, or have you ever served on a Collier County board or committee? No Not Indicated Please list your community activities and positions held: Collier County NAACP - 1st VP Haitian Coalition of Collier County - VP Boys and Girls Club - Great Futures Captain Dress for Success SW FL - Immediate Past President Small Business Resource Network - Immediate Past President Champions for Learning - Committee member FGCU Small Business Development Advisory Board Member FL Advisory Council on Small & Minority Business Development- Board Member Education: University of Phoenix - still going Nottoway High School - Diploma Experience / Background Banking 25 years with 10 years mortgage experience, investment experience and retail experience. Worked with many non profits in the Community Trained to do workshops for 1st time homebuyers and more FY 2018-19 HUD Entitlement Grants Application and Action Plan Timeline January 10, 2018 Release Application Online January 24, 2018 Public mtg & TA 3:30-4:30 Golden Gate Comm Center January 31 - Feb 2, 2018 1:1 Required T/A mtgs (3 days) February 20, 2018 Application Deadline @ 3:00 p.m. March 14, 2018 Applications delivered to review committee March 22 - 23, 2018 Review Ranking Committee Interviews & Scoring March 28, 2018 Final projects/activities list approved April 2, 2018 Conditional Approval letters sent to applicants/subrecipients June 26, 2018 BCC Approval of FY 2018-19 Action Plan & Projects/Activities DRAFT 1/3/2018 Collier County Community Housing Plan- 10/16/17 - Page 48 Communication and Outreach/Engagement The Communication and Engagement subcommittee has made recommendations to help educate the community on the need for and importance of housing that is affordable to a wide range of individuals and families that live and work in Collier County. There is a need to continue to communicate the need for more rental apartment availability…it appears that point can’t be stressed enough, particularly with millennial workforce. Their recommendations are: 1. Create an online, near-real-time updated Current Inventory of Affordable Housing Availability (purchase and rental) along with links to Information & Resources, outlining all available programs. 2. Recommend the County create an easy to find, one click “housing- focused” website briefly explaining and connecting currently available housing resources. Recommend that if the Commissioners don’t want to add staff that they contract with a 3rd party to keep up the website and provide a “human element” (“Housing Resource Specialist”) that focuses every day on helping citizens find housing solutions and opportunities. A. Develop & release an RFP (late fall 2017) for an agency to provide both a custom website and staffing to support the Housing One-Stop. The website development alone with the associated algorithms could cost close to $80,000, plus associated staff costs. B. Provide initial funding of $100,000 for development and nonprofit management 3. Develop a Marketing, PR & Communications Plan to continue to educate the community on who needs housing and is having trouble finding it; why do we need to address the situation; and what’s the impact of no action; and keep the public aware of efforts and impact. A. Educate residents and “change the narrative” to present affordable housing as a necessity and a shared public responsibility B. Create PSA’s, short videos and social media and other vehicles to continually educate the public on housing affordability issues. Show images of a nurse, teacher, bank manager, sheriff’s deputy, mid-level managers, etc. and explain that we need them, and they need housing that’s affordable. Images of the elderly and other working citizens. Have Dr. Weiss Affordable housing is an essential part of every community’s infrastructure. It is one of the cornerstones to creating a healthy, vibrant and sustainable community. Collier County Community Housing Plan- 10/16/17 - Page 49 (nurses & healthcare), Dr. Patton (teachers) and Sheriff Rambosk (sheriff’s deputies) make brief video statements on how housing challenges are beginning to impact their ability to recruit and keep staff, and that when those staff live outside our community, we lose their spending and their potential off-work contributions in our neighborhoods (coach, volunteer, youth leader, etc.). C. A marketing campaign involving surveying for baseline understanding, executing a marketing plan to raise awareness and understanding, and then post-marketing surveying to determine if we’ve moved the needle. The goal is to inform & encourage more citizens to feel more inclined to support such housing (Can I Be Your Neighbor? Yes in My Back Yard campaigns), and realize the benefit of being able to provide housing for a range of workforce needs that impact their lives and build community D. Begin a campaign to clarify what we mean by “affordable housing” and “workforce housing” – using both short videos and social media to define the issue and who it impacts. This effort could have a County component explaining the issue (not campaigning, but explaining), and a business component that would engage the private sector – for instance, engage the Chamber’s GAIN and Leadership Collier classes and alumni as the “face of workforce housing,” demonstrating the quality of our workforce members (who currently often can’t afford to live in Collier County). E. Plus, we need to show what 16-30 housing units per acre looks like, in terms of apartments, townhouses and homes. This seems to be a constant sticking point. Also, we learned how there will need to be more caregivers (the federal minimums are increasing) to take care of our aging (and increasingly income-constrained) population, yet we have a shortage of housing that would be affordable to caregiver staff. Can we assume they will live outside of Collier County and commute each day in large enough numbers to meet the demand? 4. Also consider solutions that don’t involve construction. For example, Hillsborough County offers assistance with down payments. Plus, some resort communities include connections to VRBO properties as an access to transitional housing that’s affordable (an owner may be willing to do a 1 year rental, at an overall lower price than the seasonal rate, but making the same amount of money as a 6-month rental). Anything that could be Collier County Community Housing Plan- 10/16/17 - Page 50 done to provide more awareness of properties that are already in existence. Most Critical Need and Combination of Strategies The need for affordable rental housing is one of the major challenges for our community. Businesses that are recruiting for professionals or those employers that hire seasonal health care or hospitality employees, have difficulty finding vacant rental units for their permanent relocation, or seasonal employment. Existing rental communities have a very low vacancy rate of 3%-4% which is insufficient to accommodate population growth or current residents in need of a new rental units. This current situation also imposes huge burdens on renters if units are taken out of service such as an apartment complex fire (Bear Creek, April 2017) or a natural disaster such as Hurricane Irma. The County currently administers some State & Federal grant programs that target rental housing. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s there were a number of apartment communities built utilizing programs including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program, Federal Home Loan Bank Board funding and other resources. However, since the mid-2000’s we have not seen new rental apartment communities come online as the county’s population continues to grow. In addition, apartment communities built utilizing LIHTC and other programs regularly convert to market rate housing after the subsidies and use restrictions expire (30ys+/-). We have recently “lost” five apartment communities whose subsidies have expired and five more communities’ subsidies will expire between 2022-2028. Each apartment community that converts to market rate has the ability to impact 50 to over 250 households. To accommodate population and associated employment growth, many of the strategies proposed in this plan will help to increase the supply of much needed rental housing. These strategies include the Affordable Housing Density Bonus (AHDB), Mixed-Income Housing, Community Land Trust (CLT), Linkage Fees, local Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Impact Fee Discounts, and other programs. Many of these programs are intended to be layered to provide sufficient incentives for developers to build much needed rental housing. Utilizing the Affordable Housing Density Bonus program (AHDB), rental developments are built at higher multi-family densities. The Mixed Income Housing requirement will produce units at various income ranges to be included in market rate communities, with a set aside for seniors and special needs, or opt to build a housing development off-site. Funds in the local housing trust fund (HTF), including linkage fees, percent of sales tax/ad valorum, and donations, could be used to provide a local match to aid apartment developments competing for state and federal funding, thereby boosting their chances of award. In addition, rental developments could be built on land owned by a non-profit community land trust (CLT) which would result in long-term (99 years) affordability. Together, all of these programs, Collier County Community Housing Plan- 10/16/17 - Page 51 and others, will help the county increase the supply of rental housing that is affordable to accommodate its future population and employment growth. Closing the Gap In an effort to address the housing affordability crisis in Collier County, local government and the business community must partner to quickly implement some short term, medium, and long term initiatives. To paraphrase the ULI, now is the time for action. The future sustainability, livability, vibrancy, and quality of life of our community is at stake. The following table demonstrates how this plan addresses the current and future need for housing that is affordable for our workforce and low-income seniors and special needs populations. Figure 19. Housing Response Model Figure 18.