Recommendation Concerning Local Government Area of Opportunity for RFA 2018-110 Housing Credit Financing for Affordable Housing Developments Located in Medium Counties - Tonya Green, Neighborhood & Human Services Director
That the Board select Hampton Pines, Hayden Place Apartments, or New Life Estates, and approve and authorize the County Administrator or Assistant County Administrator to sign the Local Government Verification of Contribution Loan Form in support of the Local Government Area of Opportunity for RFA 2018-110 Housing Credit Financing for Affordable Housing Developments located in Medium Counties for the selected development.
[Funding: Escambia County Housing Finance Authority; Fund 120, SHIP; and/or Fund 124, Affordable Housing] |
In May 2017, the Board authorized an application process for developers seeking a minimum local government contribution in order to apply for housing tax credits through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) competitive tax credits cycle. For this fiscal year, FHFC is NOT requiring developers to secure a local government contribution as a mandatory component of the application for the 9% Housing Tax Credit applications under RFA 2018-110 Housing Credit Financing for Affordable Housing Developments Located in Medium Counties.
When FHFC released the draft request for applications (RFA) on August 21 for RFA 2018-110, they set several special funding goals for this RFA, which would give developments a priority for funding if they meet one of the goals. The goals are one development sponsored by a not for profit, one assisted living facility development, two family developments that qualify in a geographic area of opportunity or a small area difficult to develop areas, and two developments that receive funding from a local government area of opportunity. This last category, the local government area of opportunity, will require a local government to select only ONE development for funding and commit to providing the following funding based on construction type:
| Building Type |
Minimum Funding Amount
for RFA 2018-110 |
| Garden-Wood (New Construction) |
$354,000 |
| Garden-Concrete (New Construction) |
$425,625 |
| Mid-Rise-Wood (New Construction) |
$425,625 |
| Mid-Rise-Concrete (New Construction) |
$469,313 |
| Hi-Rise (New Construction) |
$560,250 |
| Garden (Rehabilitation) |
$297,563 |
| Non-Garden (Rehabilitation) |
$419,250 |
Draft applications for the County funding were made available on the County website on September 10. On September 20, 2018, the Board approved designation of a Local Government Area of Opportunity and provision of homeless and/or special needs set aside units as part of the application. Applications were originally due to County staff October 12, but the deadline was extended to October 29 due to Hurricane Michael. At the November 1 meeting, the Board permitted additional time for developers to submit supplemental information for consideration as part of their application; developers were asked to provide all additional materials by November 14. Supplemental materials will be distributed under separate cover.
RFA 2018-110 was issued by FHFC on September 6 and was originally due to the State on October 23. Due to Hurricane Michael, the deadline to the state was extended to December 4. Full information on RFA 2018-110 can be found online at FHFC website here.
The County will need to sign the Local Government Verification of Contribution-Loan Form (Exhibit I) selecting one development and committing the funding required above by development type. The applications will also be posted online under the Rental Programs page on the County website and a hard copy is available for review in the County Administrator's office or the Neighborhood Enterprise Division office.
The following applications were received by the application deadline:
| DEVELOPMENT NAME |
LOCATION |
DEVELOPER |
# OF UNITS |
TYPE |
DISTRICT |
FUNDING REQUESTED |
| Hampton Pines |
2605 North Z Street |
Paces Foundation, Inc. |
72 |
Family |
3 |
$425,625 |
| Hayden Place Apartments |
1201 North P Street |
BCP Development |
90 |
Family |
3 |
$425,625 |
| New Life Estates |
8610 W Hwy 98 |
Housing Trust Group/New Life CDC, Inc. |
96 |
Family |
1 |
$354,000 |
Staff determined that New Life Estates did not meet threshold requirements as outlined by the Board as the property is in a Flood Zone A. The developer has surveyed the site to split it and place the proposed multifamily development outside the flood zone; however, the parcel has not been legally subdivided at this time. Staff recommends consideration of Hampton Pines or Hayden Place Apartments for the Local Government Area of Opportunity funding.
Abbreviated information received from the original applications for each development and scoring is attached. Hampton Pines is included in Exhibit II (average score: 90.87), Hayden Place Apartments is included in Exhibit III (average score: 82.12), and New Life Estates is included in Exhibit IV (average score 82.93). The developers have each been asked to make a brief presentation to the Board for funding consideration.
Development highlights are as follows:
| DEVELOPMENT |
RESIDENT OFFERINGS |
SET ASIDE UNITS |
COMMUNITY OUTREACH SUMMARY (note any additional info will be provided under separate cover) |
LOCATION NOTES |
| Hampton Pines |
Homeownership Opportunity Program, Computer Training, Employment Assistance Program, Financial Management Program, Health Outreach, Crime Prevention Classes |
8 units (4 homeless and 4 special needs) |
Meeting held 10/4 with over 30 attendees. Followup meetings scheduled on 11/13 and 11/26. Letters of support from neighboring Brownsville community. Meeting on 11/13 coordinated with Ebonwood HOA. Developer providing tour on 11/14 to interested citizens of new development in Century. |
Located in Englewood CRA. Zoning appropriate. Interior lot with proximity to existing single family homes and business immediately adjacent. Buildings sited adjacent to commercial property. |
| Hayden Place |
Homeownership Opportunity Program, Employment Assistance Program, Financial Management Program, Quarterly Health Outreach, Resident Activities |
9 units (9 special needs) |
Developer held meeting on 10/26. No community attendees except County staff. |
Located in Brownsville CRA. Zoning appropriate. Corner lot near commercial and single family homes. Building sited closest to P & Brainerd. |
| New Life Estates |
After School Program for Children, Daily Activities, Family Support Coordinator, Health/Wellness Promotion |
10 units (5 homeless and 5 special needs) |
Developer held meeting on 10/10. No community attendees. |
Project not in CRA, but located in an Area of Opportunity. Zoning appropriate. Sited on a commercial roadway, with buffering by existing single family homes. Property has existing buildings to be incorporated in development. |
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