By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
June 20, 2019 4:00 p.m.
Adrienne Burke, the new Director of Planning and Economic Opportunity provided the Board of County Commissioners, on June 19, 2019, with an update on the activities of the Affordable Housing Committee (AHAC) commenting first on its name change. That committee will now be known as the Essential Housing Advisory Committee.
The name change is reflective of the growing recognition that “housing is a spectrum issue – that ranges from homelessness to homeownership and everything in between,” explained Ms. Burke.
This committee was established in May 2017 for the purpose of developing a plan to provide more affordable housing options to the residents of Nassau County.
Goals achieved in 2018 included:
• Completion of a housing assessment
• Development of speaker series
• An expanded presence on the department’s website dedicated to housing issues, and
• Creation of two new subcommittees – one on Accessory Dwellings and the other on Housing Incentives
Thus far in 2019, Burke reported the committee has successfully completed updates to its Local Housing Assistance Program (LHAP) which were approved by the BOCC in April. Most notable was a change which now allows manufactured housing to be eligible for down payment assistance.
The Committee is also making progress on finalizing its recommendations relating to changes in the county’s Land Development Code regarding Accessory Dwellings. As Burke noted, this is a “huge step . . . and will go a long way to increasing the diversity of housing types [here in Nassau County].”
Continuing partnerships with other organizations remains a priority. The committee is currently working with the Council on Aging to promote its transit programs and plans are underway to collaborate with the Nassau County Health Department. That government agency recently issued a report stating that Safe Housing is now their one number concern.
Completing an inventory of government owned lands that would be “suitable” for affordable housing is in progress along with taking a closer look at incentives and how impact fees might be modified to help create more affordable housing options in the County.
The Planning and Economic Opportunity Department has a multitude of reports related to housing on its website. To access, simply go to: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/893/Affordable-Housing
Related to the topic of housing at this same BOCC meeting was the presentation of a new video about the SHIP program. SHIP stands for State Housing Initiatives Partnership and it is administered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by longtime grants specialist Carol Gilchrist.
As explained on the department’s website, while “SHIP dollars may be used to fund emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees, construction and gap financing, mortgage buy-downs, acquisition of property for affordable housing, matching dollars for federal housing grants and programs . . . we [Nassau County] are most active in down payment and closing cost assistance and construction of new housing or rehabilitation of existing housing.”
If fully funded by the State, Nassau County would receive close to $1 million a year but on average, receives just $350,000.
The video features a Nassau County recipient of SHIP dollars and is expected to be posted on the website in the very near future.
The Essential Housing Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.
As a member of the Essential Housing Committee, I would like to publicly thank Commissioner Justin Taylor for all he has done to keep our committee rolling ever forward for the betterment of the lives of our neighbors across Nassau County. Likewise I am truly in awe of my fellow committee members whose diverse talents and expertise are being put to a truly great purpose. Also, my deepest thanks and admiration for Ms. Burke, Mr. Pope before her, and the amazing staff that works in our county’s Office of Planning and Economic Development. They move mountains amid many requests for their time and talents. And they always do it with a smile on their faces! Finally a special nod to Ms. Carol Gilcrest who works tirelessly to serve the people of Nassau County through the SHIP program. Ms. Gilcrest has done wonders for the citizens of Nassau County despite the continued annual diversion of the Sadowski funds meant to sustain her program. Housing really is essential for everyone. These are the people who get it done!