Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
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Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve Ocala Community Redevelopment Agency Affordable Housing Program to be implemented in the West Ocala, East Ocala, and North Magnolia Community Redevelopment Agency subareas
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND: The Ocala 2035 Vision states Ocala is a community of neighborhoods and calls out the importance of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in driving redevelopment and establishing strong neighborhoods. Ocala, like many other cities, is faced with increasing housing affordability needs. These challenges are prevalent in the three subject areas, West Ocala, North Magnolia, and East Ocala. The respective CRA plan for each subarea identifies varying degrees of blighted conditions including deteriorated or deteriorating structures; need for site and/or other improvements; lag in assessed values of real property compared to City average; and unsafe living conditions. The CRA aims to provide grants and incentives to further encourage private redevelopment investments that are consistent with the redevelopment plans. The proposed program supports the following Goals and Objectives of the three subareas:
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The program will assist with easing the cost burden of low-income households and improve their ability to meet housing needs. The CRAs offer these incentives to offset development costs, preserve existing housing stock, and provide affordable housing solutions. Improving the existing housing options will encourage the construction of new housing. Key details of the proposed Affordable Housing Program are summarized as follows:
* The Community Development Services (CDS) and Growth Management (GM) staff will work within each CRA subarea to identify suitable projects/applicants and manage th...
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