§ 2-17-71. Manatee County SHIP Program.

(a)

Intent. The local housing assistance program is intended to:

(1)

Increase the availability of affordable housing units by combining local resources and cost-saving measures into a local housing partnership and using private and public funds to reduce the cost of housing;

(2)

Assist in achieving the growth management goals contained in the comprehensive plan by allowing more efficient use of land so as to provide housing units that are affordable to persons who have very low-income, low-income, moderate-income, or special housing needs;

(3)

Promote innovative design of eligible housing that provides cost savings; flexible design options for housing and development such as the combination of architectural styles, building forms, and development requirements; and positive features such as orientation toward the street and pedestrian access, without compromising the quality of the eligible housing; and

(4)

To build the organizational and technical capacity of community-based organizations so as to optimize the role of such organizations in the production of affordable housing.

(b)

Construction. For purposes of this article, Part VII of Chapter 420, Florida Statutes, and Rule Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code, as such statute or rule may be amended or renumbered from time to time, shall be referred to collectively as the "SHIP Act and Rules". This article and all provisions hereto are intended to implement, and shall be construed in accordance with, said SHIP Act and Rules.

(c)

Establishment of the local housing assistance program. The local housing assistance program is hereby created and established. In accordance with the SHIP Act and Rules, the funds shall be allocated for the following purposes:

(1)

Homeownership activities, include without implied limitation acquisition of improved or unimproved sites; down payment assistance; new construction of owner occupied single-family residents; rehabilitation of owner occupied single-family residence; emergency repairs of owner-occupied single-family residences; provision of mortgage financing assistance; provision for relief of county mandated impact or facilities investment fees; and provision of "local match" required under the HOME Investment Partnership Program or other federal or similar state sponsored programs.

(2)

Other affordable housing activities, including without implied limitation the acquisition of improved sites; the construction of new investor-owned affordable housing; the rehabilitation of investor-owned affordable housing; and the provision of "local match" funds under the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program or other similar federal or state program.

(3)

County's administrative expenses.

(d)

Creation of the local housing assistance trust fund. In accordance with and pursuant to the SHIP Act and Rules, the Manatee County Local Housing Assistance Trust Fund is hereby created and established.

(e)

Adoption of the local housing assistance plan. The board of county commissioners shall adopt, and as necessary amend, by resolution a local housing assistance plan that meets all applicable requirements of the SHIP Act and Rules, including without implied limitation Section 420.9071(14), Florida Statutes. Such plan shall be implemented through a local housing partnership, in accordance with the SHIP Act and Rules, including without implied limitation Section 420.9071(18), Florida Statutes, and through such other means as are appropriate and available.

(f)

Designation of responsibility for administration of the local housing assistance program. The county administrator or his designee shall administer the local housing assistance program. A full-time county employee shall be designated whose responsibilities shall include:

(1)

Working with the local housing partnership to monitor the success of the local housing assistance program, and provide advice and suggestions as to whether and in what ways the local housing assistance program might be improved from year to year.

(2)

Working with the local housing partnership participants to coordinate local programs (including community loan funds, inclusionary housing programs, and linkage programs) with state programs (including the Housing Predevelopment Trust Fund, Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP), Single-Family Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) Program, and State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program) and federal programs (including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Low-Income Rental Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, and Section 8 Rental Assistance) so as to maximize the production of eligible housing through the local housing assistance program.

(g)

Establishment of the affordable housing advisory committee. The affordable housing advisory committee is hereby established pursuant to, and is directed to undertake and fulfill all obligations imposed by, the SHIP Act and Rules.

(1)

This committee shall be advisory only and may be abolished, disbanded, or reorganized at any time by the board in accordance with statutory requirements and pursuant to an amendment to this ordinance.

(2)

The board of county commissioners shall appoint members to the affordable housing advisory committee by resolution. The resolution appointing the members shall provide for the initial and regular terms of office of each member such that expiration of terms shall be staggered.

(3)

Open positions for members of the advisory committee shall be advertised. Applicants for such positions shall follow the procedures set by the board regarding advisory board applications and shall assure the board of the lack of conflicts and potential conflicts of interest.

(4)

The affordable housing advisory committee shall follow the meeting procedures adopted by the board of county commissioners. Unless a quorum is present, the committee shall not take formal action but may meet to hear presentations. Meetings shall be scheduled in the discretion of the committee or at the request of the board of county commissioners or the county administrator, provided that the committee shall meet at least as frequently as required pursuant to the SHIP Act and Rules.

(5)

Staff, administrative, and facility support for the affordable housing advisory committee shall be provided by a county department designated by the county administrator, provided that such department shall have authority to administer local planning or housing programs. The clerk of circuit court shall serve as clerk to the affordable housing advisory committee as it serves as clerk to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. The county attorney will provide all legal services to the affordable housing advisory committee but only as specifically directed, from time to time, by the board; provided, however, the county attorney shall not be required to undertake or continue representation of the committee where to do so would, in the opinion of the attorney, conflict with his representation of the board of county commissioners or constitute a violation of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.

(6)

A member of the affordable housing advisory committee may resign at will or be removed at any time by the board of county commissioners. Should any member of the advisory committee resign or be removed before completion of his/her term, the board shall appoint a new member for the remainder of such member's term following the procedure included in subparagraphs (2) and (3) above.

(h)

Adoption of the affordable housing incentive plan. Within ninety (90) days after receipt of the affordable housing incentive recommendations from the affordable housing advisory committee, the board of county commissioners shall adopt the affordable housing incentive plan.

(Ord. No. 08-44, § 2, 4-22-08)