TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MANAGER TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A COUNTY-FUNDED EMPLOYER ASSISTED HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS RECOMMENDED BY COMMUNITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIES ALLIANCE TASK FORCE; REQUIRING A REPORT FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER

BODY
WHEREAS, there is a severe housing shortage which exists within Miami-Dade County with respect to the supply of housing relative to the need for housing residents with low and moderate incomes; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Element of the Miami-Dade Comprehensive Plan sets as one of its goals that the County ensure the provision of affordable housing products that will meet the spatial and economic necessities of all current and future Miami-Dade County residents, regardless of household type and income; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County continues to face challenges from a tight rental market, rising costs in housing units of all types and the lack of sufficient resources from the State and Federal governments to face this crisis; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2003 U.S. Census Data for Miami-Dade County the homeowner vacancy rates were 2.2% and rental vacancy rates were 8.5%; and
WHEREAS, due to the boom in the construction of high-priced housing, condominium conversions and very few rental housing being built, recent data demonstrates that the current rental vacancy rates have dropped dramatically to approximately 1.2% in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, statistical estimates demonstrate that as a result of these before mentioned factors there is insufficient affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income households in the County; and
WHEREAS, each of these factors results in many Miami-Dade County residents having difficulty in locating and leasing up and purchasing affordable housing units, which are decent and safe; and
WHEREAS, without the public and private sectors� assistance and involvement in housing Miami-Dade County�s very low, low and moderate income households, many residents of Miami-Dade County will not be housed; and
WHEREAS, there is a need in Miami-Dade County to provide a full range of housing choices, conveniently located in a suitable living environment, for all incomes, ages and family sizes; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners created the Community Affordable Housing Strategies Alliance task force (�CAHSA�) by Resolution No. R-558-06, as amended by Resolution No. R-1176-06, to ensure a comprehensive strategy for affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, CAHSA was directed to make recommendations and report to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the necessary approaches needed to eradicate the housing crisis in Miami-Dade County and address the housing issue comprehensively; and
WHEREAS, CAHSA formed a committee called �Public and Private Employer Housing Incentive Programs� (the �Committee�); and
WHEREAS, the Committee�s mission is to evaluate the existing policies providing public and private sector employers incentives to initiate housing programs for employees and, if necessary, recommend changes and develop an action plan; and
WHEREAS, the Committee identified that the cost to own or rent a home has increased more rapidly than income in our community; that employers in Miami-Dade County are at a disadvantage when competing for new hires or retaining existing employees; and that our workforce is directly affected by the present real estate market condition; and
WHEREAS, CAHSA and the Committee recommend that the County consider initiatives that would bridge the gap between the cost to own or rent and income; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners desires to explore the creation of a County program to lead the community in initiating public and private sector employer housing programs for employees in order to bridge the gap between the cost to own or rent and income,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board directs:
Section 1. The County Manager to explore the feasibility of developing and implementing a County-funded Employer Assisted Housing Pilot Program, as recommended by the CAHSA, for County employees, which may be considered a model to emulate by other public and private employers, which program may include Home Buyer Education, Individual Development Account (IDA) match, and/or subsidy funds.
Section 2. The County Manager to submit a report to the Board with the results of this exploration and study within sixty (60) days from the date of this resolution, which report shall include the funding source for this program.