Page 52 - LIN M-J-J-2023 web-low

Affordable

Housing Solutions

WORKFORCE HOUSING —
The Crisis isn’t Fixed Yet

by Joe Trachtenberg,
Former Chairman of Collier County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

ollier County has made some zoning Also occurring the same week was the Governor signing the new
changes and taken other actions for “Live Local” bill which was originally proposed by Senate President
Cwhich celebration on the affordable and Naples resident Kathleen Passidomo. It recognized the inaction
housing front is in order. And while this is very of certain county leaders in dealing with affordable housing issues,
good news, we are not yet where we need to be. and superseded their authority in several important ways. I met with
At their March 28 meeting, Collier County’s Kathleen while she was formulating her proposals.
Board of County Commissioners (BCC) ended The bill bypasses a local government’s rules for density and
a thirteen month period where the subject was building height when affordable housing is involved. Additionally it
ignored, and placed workforce housing on their agenda. offers new funding from the state, and the opportunity to reduce or
County staff did an excellent job presenting the four proposed even eliminate the payment of real estate taxes. It will potentially be
zoning changes, which not only had their support but also the a game changer.
unanimous concurrence of the Planning Commission. These Collier County is still on an uneven playing field in attracting
proposals were first recommended in 2017 by the Urban Land developers willing to build affordable housing. Our impact fees
Institute (ULI) the highly respected land use consultant the county are among the highest in the state, and our deferral program is out
hired six years ago. Their passage improves our ability to attract of step with the timing needed for postponement. If we are to be
affordable housing developers to our county. successful we must make changes in this crucial area. Adding
The proposals are as follows: millions to the cost of building workforce housing subdivisions
• Allowing more affordable housing by right in certain will assure they are built elsewhere.
commercial zoning districts. Finally there is an important element of affordable housing about
• Increasing density allowances for affordable housing which we must remain diligent. Current laws define affordable
in activity centers. housing as up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). Due to its
• Establishing a new subdistrict that allows more residential enormous wealth, Collier County’s AMI is approximately $98,000.
density in mixed-use districts. This means a family earning $120,000 and paying $3000 per month
• Raising density allowances for affordable housing projects rent, will be considered “affordable.”
built along county bus routes. The de facto minimum wage in our county is $15-17 an hour.
The commissioners were not in favor of “by right” changes, The bulk of our essential workers earn $30-50,000 per year.
and with that one deletion, approved the resolution by a 4-1 vote THESE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE STRUGGLING.
(McDaniels voting no). if our county continues to allocate so-called affordable housing to
The other cause for celebration at the BCC meeting was folks who can afford to pay $2000 and more
approval of rules by which land might be considered for purchase in monthly rent, we will accomplish virtually nothing.
for workforce housing use, from the $20 Million sales surtax fund. THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.
Back in 2018 voters approved a $490 Million 1% surtax imposition. There’s no question Collier County is experiencing an affordable
Of this, $20 Million was allocated to acquire land specifically housing crisis. We have now witnessed some important movement
earmarked for this use. A recently created subcommittee of county by our leaders. We mustn’t be complacent now - too much is at stake.
staff and AHAC members was appointed. It was this group’s Keep pressing our commissioners to make more changes to mitigate
recommendations which were accepted. this crisis.

52 Life in Naples | May/June/July 2023