Flagler Commission Gets Affordable Housing Update

In 2011 the Florida Legislature passed the Community Planning Act, which requires local governments to consider the housing needs of current and future residents, eliminate substandard housing, ensure adequate sites for low- and moderate-income housing and manage public land for affordable housing. The legislation was also the foundation for the creation of Affordable Housing Advisory Committees.

At a recent workshop meeting, Flagler County commissioners heard an update from Joe Hegedus, director of the Health and Human Services Department, on the activities of Flagler’s housing advisory committee.

After a brief overview of the legislative background of affordable housing efforts, Hegedus reviewed the different housing incentives available to meet those legislative requirements, including fee waivers for development and construction costs for affordable housing, increased density flexibility, allowance of auxiliary dwelling units, flexible lot configurations, reduced parking and setback requirements for affordable housing projects, and encouraging development of affordable housing units near transit hubs and job centers.

Hegedus said there are also required elements to affordable housing efforts including expedited site plans and permit reviews, publication of the availability of public land for projects on the county’s website and an ongoing review process of the cost impact for local policies.

“Those three components are required,” he said. “How we do them is kind of up to us, but they must be met.”

Hegedus then explained how the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee works, outlining its timeline to refine and review its recommendations to commissioners. Beginning with the April workshop, the advisory board works with county staff to prepare for a pre-workshop in September with the County Commission, followed by a public hearing in November. In December the advisory committee delivers its recommendations to commissioners with an implementation plan prepared by county staff the following March.

Hegedus also reviewed the implications of the Live Local Act, passed by the Florida Legislature in 2023.

“The act reshapes Florida’s housing policy and directly affects local governments,” he said, including preempting local zoning for certain affordable housing projects and influencing local housing regulations.

“(The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee) can help us integrate local priorities with these state mandates,” Hegedus said, adding that a Live Local Act application is being added to the county’s website to provide builders a document they can submit when they have a local project.

Commissioner Kim Carney said while the county has a role to play, it is up to developers to do the actual building of affordable housing.

“I don’t think it’s in the purview of the board and the county to be in the development business,” she said. “We don’t brainstorm on how to build these homes or these required living spaces, that is up to a developer.”

Commission Chair Andy Dance said the county can play an active role in the process.

“It doesn’t preclude us to use our land to be in a partnership with developers,” he said. “It has to be the right spot.”