FloridaFuture
May 18th, 2007, 12:08 PM
Developers May Get Breaks For Affordable Housing Projects
By ELLEN GEDALIUS The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 18, 2007
TAMPA - City Councilman Tom Scott urged his colleagues on the board Thursday to embrace the notion of creating incentives for developers who provide low-cost housing.
The council eagerly obliged.
In a unanimous vote, the council agreed to ask the administration to look into waiving impact fees for developers who propose affordable housing projects, waiving sidewalk fees in some instances, creating an affordable housing trust fund, and waiving parking requirements.
It was the first real sign that the new city council, which took office in April, is dedicated to finding ways to encourage developers to provide affordable housing.
"Affordable housing is key," Scott said. "You are talking about people such as police, sheriff's deputies, teachers, janitors, waiters, secretaries."
Homes are considered affordable if residents spend no more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs. That's a hard benchmark for many to reach, considering that home prices climbed about 80 percent from 2000 to 2005 while salaries increased only about 10 percent.
As a Hillsborough County commissioner, Scott spearheaded the creation of an affordable housing task force. In its wrap-up report, the task force recommended creating incentives to spur affordable housing. The county has adopted several of them.
The city, however, has few incentives in place, although developers can qualify for density bonuses if they build affordable units.
Councilwoman Mary Mulhern suggested that the council slow down approving luxury condos, which most residents can't afford. Maybe then developers would be more inclined to build lower-cost housing.
During the workshop, representatives from the East Tampa Business and Civic Association aired their frustrations with the city. The nonprofit group has built 35 affordable homes in Tampa.
"Why can't the city have a true expedited permitting program?" said Betty Wiggins, chief executive of the association. "That is our greatest frustration."
Among other grievances: Builders are required to install sidewalks in front of homes or pay a fee. Many opt to pay the fee because adjacent homes don't have sidewalks. The fee is $4,000 - a cost that is passed on to the homeowner, Wiggins said.
She and colleague Dianne Hart urged the council to do away with the sidewalk fee. The council agreed to consider it.
In other action:
Councilman Joseph Caetano asked the city to consider creating an ordinance requiring "government fairness and accountability." Among the provisions would be a requirement that city staff members swear or affirm that they are telling the truth when they conduct business in front of a city board or submit reports.
His proposal also would prohibit the city from passing any rules that hold the government to lower standards than the public.
Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.
http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB6KL44U1F.html
By ELLEN GEDALIUS The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 18, 2007
TAMPA - City Councilman Tom Scott urged his colleagues on the board Thursday to embrace the notion of creating incentives for developers who provide low-cost housing.
The council eagerly obliged.
In a unanimous vote, the council agreed to ask the administration to look into waiving impact fees for developers who propose affordable housing projects, waiving sidewalk fees in some instances, creating an affordable housing trust fund, and waiving parking requirements.
It was the first real sign that the new city council, which took office in April, is dedicated to finding ways to encourage developers to provide affordable housing.
"Affordable housing is key," Scott said. "You are talking about people such as police, sheriff's deputies, teachers, janitors, waiters, secretaries."
Homes are considered affordable if residents spend no more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs. That's a hard benchmark for many to reach, considering that home prices climbed about 80 percent from 2000 to 2005 while salaries increased only about 10 percent.
As a Hillsborough County commissioner, Scott spearheaded the creation of an affordable housing task force. In its wrap-up report, the task force recommended creating incentives to spur affordable housing. The county has adopted several of them.
The city, however, has few incentives in place, although developers can qualify for density bonuses if they build affordable units.
Councilwoman Mary Mulhern suggested that the council slow down approving luxury condos, which most residents can't afford. Maybe then developers would be more inclined to build lower-cost housing.
During the workshop, representatives from the East Tampa Business and Civic Association aired their frustrations with the city. The nonprofit group has built 35 affordable homes in Tampa.
"Why can't the city have a true expedited permitting program?" said Betty Wiggins, chief executive of the association. "That is our greatest frustration."
Among other grievances: Builders are required to install sidewalks in front of homes or pay a fee. Many opt to pay the fee because adjacent homes don't have sidewalks. The fee is $4,000 - a cost that is passed on to the homeowner, Wiggins said.
She and colleague Dianne Hart urged the council to do away with the sidewalk fee. The council agreed to consider it.
In other action:
Councilman Joseph Caetano asked the city to consider creating an ordinance requiring "government fairness and accountability." Among the provisions would be a requirement that city staff members swear or affirm that they are telling the truth when they conduct business in front of a city board or submit reports.
His proposal also would prohibit the city from passing any rules that hold the government to lower standards than the public.
Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.
http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGB6KL44U1F.html