On 4/20/2015 the Orlando City Council approved the 2015-2018 Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). The LHAP outlines strategies the City will utilize in providing housing assistance to our residents under the guidelines of the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.

Housing and Community Development staff is requesting City Council approve the following technical revisions to this plan which will allow us to better serve the needs of our residents.

Purchase Assistance strategy

·       Include an allocation of $75,000 for Housing Counseling Services. Individuals/families applying for assistance under our Purchase Assistance program are required to receive housing counseling prior to purchasing a home. Currently housing counseling services are funded under our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and are restricted to households with an annual income at or below 80% AMI. Utilizing SHIP funds for these services will allow households with annual incomes up to 120% AMI to receive housing counseling services.  

·       Include “interest buy down” as an allowable use of funds in addition to down payment, closing costs and reduction of mortgage principle currently identified. The amount of funding allocated to this strategy will not change.

Owner Occupied Rehabilitation strategy

·       Increase the maximum amount of funding allowable per unit up to the “estimated new cost” of the home as identified on the Orange County Property Appraiser website, not to exceed $75,000. The maximum amount currently allowed is up to 75% of the home value, not to exceed $45,000. Following a review and analysis of assistance provided under this program in the past, and a review of limits imposed by other jurisdictions around the state of Florida, it was determined that this higher limit will allow us to better service our residents’ needs.

Impact Fee – Home Owner strategy

·       Expand the list of eligible applicants to include existing homeowners seeking to connect to the City’s sewer system. All income eligibility and availability of fund requirements will remain in place. Currently, only developers of new residential units are eligible to apply.