Subject:
Title
Resolution approving an amendment to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Local Housing Assistance Plan for State Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for State Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 for submission to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
• The Florida Legislature passed SB 594 which requires local governments receiving State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to amend their LHAP to include a strategy to address manufactured housing (mobile homes).
• The new strategy must include relocation assistance for mobile homeowners/tenants who have been evicted due to closure of a mobile home park; lot rent assistance for up to six months; and rehabilitation/emergency repairs.
• Local governments are not required to fund the new strategy. Staff does not recommend allocating funds to the strategy at this time.
• The Pinellas FY26/27 SHIP entitlement amount of $3,466,056.00 is currently allocated to homebuyer down payment assistance (up to $75,000.00), home repair (up to $75,000.00) and affordable rental housing development programs.
• SHIP requirements include at least 75% of funds must be spent on construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing; at least 65% of funds must be used for homeownership activities.
• The amendment to the LHAP has no fiscal impact on the County. Funding for SHIP is included in the FY27 Proposed Budget for the Housing and Community Development Department in the SHIP Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval of the annual County Budget.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing.
Summary:
Summary
Senate Bill 594 was passed during the 2026 Florida Legislative session, which requires local governments that receive SHIP funding to adopt a strategy in the current plan that includes relocation assistance for mobile homeowners/tenants who have been evicted due to a closure of a mobile home park; lot rent assistance; and rehabilitation/emergency repairs.
Currently, Pinellas SHIP allocations are being utilized for homebuyer purchase assistance, owner-occupied rehabilitation and rental construction to address long term needs for affordable housing. Local governments are not required to fund the new mobile home strategy. Mobile homes constructed after 1994 are eligible for the home buyer and home repair programs.
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Background Information:
The 2026 Florida Legislature passed SB 594 requiring local governments that receive SHIP funding includes a strategy that addresses relocation assistance; lot rent assistance; and rehabilitation/emergency repairs for manufactured housing.
Currently. SHIP funding is being utilized to fund long-term affordable housing by providing down payment assistance, homeowner rehabilitation for eligible homeowners to make repairs including roofs, windows, doors, HVAC and production of rental housing. Funding the new strategy would reduce the amount of funding available for these programs and is recommended that the new strategy be considered for funding in the event of an emergency.
Fiscal Impact:
Amending the LHAP to include the strategy has no fiscal impact. Funding for State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) is included in the FY27 Proposed Budget for the Housing and Community Development Department in the SHIP Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval of the annual County Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Gregg Mims, Director, Housing and Community Development
Bruce Bussey, Community Development Manager
Partners:
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Attachments:
Resolution
Amended Local Housing Assistance Plan
Amended Local Housing Assistance Plan - Redline