Tallahassee city commissioners are weighing recommendations for affordable housing on Wednesday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) – Nineteen percent of Leon County’s households pay their rent above their means. This number was highlighted during a county affordable housing workshop that demonstrated the need for better housing.

Based in the heart of Frenchtown; the Urban League serves as a resource for people who get into difficult times.

President Curtis Taylor said one of the biggest problems was finding a suitable, affordable place to live.

“We have so many of our citizens living on their paychecks. They only live on social security, ”said Taylor.

Affordable housing is an issue that the Commissioners will be looking at at their meeting on Wednesday.

You will be looking at eight recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

Some of the highlights are: The city is moving to a faster housing approval process, more apartment types like maisonettes, multiplexes, and more conversations around the community to see what people want.

Affordable Housing Director Abena Ojetayo said a major change this year is the ability to work with the state to raise more funding.

“This advisory committee has been very active this year, with several changes including the addition of an elected official. There were also many discussions with our partners in the district, ”said Ojetayo.

Ojetayo said they face another challenge given the increasing demand for affordable housing; Find people willing to build.

“We actually see a challenge in the ability of a private sector to build as many units and as quickly as needed. And that’s why we’re calling on every private property developer to join forces because there are more resources available now, “she said.

Ojetayo added that the other side of the affordable housing problem is addressing the issues that need to be addressed before building a home.

This includes adding rainwater runoff to areas that could eventually be developed.

“The Commission will consider investing in rainwater in the southern part of the city and a specific location reserved for affordable housing, and that’s a really good example of how the city should build this rainwater infrastructure first and then an incentive for vacant properties too for affordable housing to be developed, “Ojetayo said.

The Commission will vote on the recommendation on Wednesday.

The post Tallahassee city commissioners are weighing recommendations for affordable housing on Wednesday first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

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