Submitted By: James Haynes
presenter
Presentation By: James Haynes
end
Department: Community Development Services
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Approve the award of development opportunity to, and an Affordable Housing Agreement with, the Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Inc. to construct and sell an affordable housing unit on surplus property in West Ocala
end
OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
In April 2023, at its annual strategic planning session, Ocala's City Council established addressing the affordable housing shortage as one of its strategic initiatives. In response to this initiative, City staff formed an Affordable Housing Initiative Team to develop ideas and implement strategies to engage for-profit and not-for-profit developers in developing single-family and multi-family affordable housing projects. The initial "surplus lots" list was established, and an infill strategy was initiated to build single-family structures on scattered sites.
By and through Resolution 2023-40, adopted by City Council on September 19, 2023, the City currently holds an inventory of vacant lots located throughout the city that it intends to offer for sale to qualified for-profit and non-profit developers, builders, partnerships, and/or agencies to develop and construct new affordable housing units.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Inc. (Habitat) is a not-for-profit provider of housing services in Marion County. They are a locally run Habitat for Humanity International affiliate. Habitat works with families, volunteers, and donors to construct affordable homes, providing stability, self-reliance, and a brighter future for low-income families.
The property Habitat intends to develop is more formally described as:
SEC 18 TWP 15 RGE 22
PLAT BOOK A PAGE 090
MITCHELLS ADD OCALA REVISED
LOT 20
The proposed purchase price is one dollar, along with Habitat'...
Click here for full text