Subject:
Title
Board Consideration, Re: New Appointments and Re-Appointments to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
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Fiscal Impact:
No Cost
Dept/Office:
Housing and Human Services
Requested Actions:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners:
Action 1) approve the two re-appointments of the named members of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) who have exceeded their term limits - supermajority vote required; and
Action 2) approve the re-appointment of named member of the AHAC; and
Action 3) approve the appoint of name applicants to fill the vacant AHAC seats of actively engaged in the home building industry in connection with affordable housing, actively engaged as a non-profit provider of affordable housing, and member that represents employers within the jurisdiction; and
Action 4) review applications and resumes and elect one applicant to fill the AHAC seat of actively engaged real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) is a state mandated board (Florida Statutes 420.9076), which allows Brevard County to receive State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds. The AHAC makes recommendations to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners on the allocation of funds from the state SHIP program, the Federal HOME Program, and other federal and state funds which allow the county discretion in the determination of housing priorities. Additionally, they review established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and the adopted comprehensive plan of the county, to recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of properties to appreciate in value.
The AHAC consists of members who represent specific categories, per the Statute. The Department has solicited for members in multiple ways: through a local newspaper of general circulation, press releases, and on the County Website. The County has received 7 applications from residents for 4 of the 7 vacant categories. All applications and other supporting documents have been attached for review.
Action 1 (Super Majority vote required):
Two of the four currently filled positions are filled with members whose appointments have exceeded their term limits. Therefore, we would request that the following individuals who are currently serving on the AHAC be reappointed to new 2-year terms beginning July 1, 2025, per Brevard County Code of Ordinances Section 90-71(b) and in the corresponding categories:
• Corey Lancaster- member since 2008 (Resident who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing).
• Cynthia Matthews- member since 2016 (Resident who represents the area of essential services personnel).
Action 2:
It is requested that the following individual who is currently serving on the AHAC be reappointed to a new 2-year term beginning July 1, 2025, per Brevard County Code of Ordinances Section 90-71(b) and in the corresponding category:
• John Hopengarten- member since 2022 (Resident who is actively serving on the County Local Planning Agency).
Action 3:
It is requested that the Board appoint the following applicants to fill the vacant seats to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) for a period of 2 years with terms that will expire on June 30, 2027, in the following prescribed membership categories:
• Steve Bruch- Resident who is actively engaged in home building industry of affordable housing.
• Miesha Carr- Resident who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
• Emily Harkins- Resident who represents employers within the jurisdiction.
Action 4:
It is requested that the Board review the following applications and resumes and elect one applicant to fill the seat that represents the actively engaged real estate professional in connection with affordable housing:
• William Rusler- Resident actively engaged as real estate professional with affordable housing.
• Nancy Shear- Resident actively engaged as real estate professional with affordable housing.
• Debbie Strawhand- Resident actively engaged as real estate professional with affordable housing.
• Sandra Sullivan- Resident actively engaged as real estate professional with affordable housing.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
None