On Thursday, September 5th, 2019 the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency will consider adopting a new policy that will allow for Blueprint expenditures to be allocated to affordable housing projects.
Based on staff analysis, currently, Blueprint may expend penny sales tax dollars on acquisition of land for affordable housing subject to the constraints authorized under Florida law.
However, expenditures on the development of affordable housing is not among the purposes included in the Blueprint local agreement. Therefore, the Blueprint agreement must be amended to expressly provide for sales tax spending on affordable housing.
One of the options under consideration is for elected officials to direct staff to initiate the substantial amendment process to add affordable housing to the Blueprint agreement. Staff reports that the costs of this potential policy are currently unknown and would be based upon the final “Affordable Housing Policy” requirements.
Also, staff wrote that any costs of the new project would be taken from the 66 percent Blueprint Infrastructure portion of the projected sales tax proceeds during the life of the sales tax.
Another option to be presented at the meeting provides a revision to the Blueprint Real Estate Policy. The revision would require that Blueprint consult with the City of Tallahassee Office of Community Housing and Human Services and the Leon County Office of Human Services and Community Partnership to determine whether potential surplus property is suitable for donation to the Community Land Trust. This donated land could eventually be used for affordable housing.
Problem is no one wants “affordable housing” in or around their neighborhood. Why? Because it does drive property values down. It doesn’t matter the color of people or not. It is what it is. People that do not own property have less interest in keeping up property they do not own. That is a fact no matter what color they are.
If we are to spend the money on “affordable housing” then let’s work on buying property that is completely set apart for an “affordable housing” community. If the area is set aside to a certain area and not in the middle of residential property valued areas, then there should not be issues of property value decreases. But, in a perfect world, right?
Great, that’s all we need – “affordable housing” developments springing up around the city – and perhaps next to your own neighborhoods. Bye-bye, property values. As a lifelong Floridian, I’ve watched “affordable housing” get built in both Tampa and Orlando – and observed what started as clean, fairly attractive sets of apartment buildings go downhill to littered slums in just a year or two. Hope that won’t happen to any affordable housing here, but have seen it happen in other cities.
You see that here as well. ……….. Drive thru any Predominantly Black area and you will see it. Yards not kept up and Mowed, Trash all over the Yard, Junk Cars in the Front Yard, House in Disrepair, it’s as if they just don’t care …………………….
Go to any predominately poor white neighborhood (i.e. trailer parks) and you will see it there, too. Yards full of junk, shirtless people so dirty they look black, with rotten teeth, trailers in disrepair as if they just don’t care….
The point is, sir, that all races of poor people can live like that. Just so happens there are middle of the road people (not poor) that can pay some rent because they work – yet cannot find affordable housing. It doesn’t have to be a project environment where people pay no rent at all…
What’s the alternative? Do you suggest bunking up with another family? Turning the kids over to the state? Live outside or in the car?
We need road improvements that benefit everyone not a few.
Affordable Housing Projects should NOT be a part of the Blue Print Intergovernmental Agency.