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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION REPEALING THE 2011 SUNSET OF THE MIAMI-DADE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SURTAX PROGRAM

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WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade Affordable Housing Surtax Program subsidizes both development and consumer financing to make housing more available and affordable for low- and moderate-income working families by funding first and second mortgages and the acquisition and construction of property for the purpose of providing rental affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, since 1984, the Miami-Dade Affordable Housing Surtax (�Surtax�) has provided over $295 million for the construction, rehabilitation, and purchase of over 21,000 housing units that have helped tens of thousands of low- and moderate-income families; and
WHEREAS, Surtax funds leverage $4 in affordable housing investment for each $1 in Surtax funds, leading to a substantial investment in this community and the creation in a significant number of jobs; and
WHEREAS, over the history of the Surtax, more than 14,000 rental units have been built using Surtax revenues as a subsidy, while more than $165 million in Surtax funds have gone to homeownership loans; and
WHEREAS, the funding source for the Surtax Program is 45� for each $100 of commercial property transferred; and
WHEREAS, in 1983, the Florida Legislature enacted the Surtax Program, with Miami attorney Martin Fine being credited with developing the Surtax Program; and
WHEREAS, several projects that have been completed in recent years using Surtax funds include Allapattah Gardens (128 rental units), Bonita Pointe Apartments (200 rental units), Country Club Villas (214 rental units) and Jubilee Courtyards (98 rental units); and
WHEREAS, the Surtax Program has been one of the state�s best dedicated sources of funding for affordable housing initiatives, but, without action by the Florida Legislature, the Surtax Program will sunset on October 1, 2011; and
WHEREAS, at a time when the residents of Miami-Dade County need affordable housing more than ever before, it is critical that the Florida Legislature keep the Surtax Program in place and not let it sunset,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to pass legislation repealing the 2011 sunset of the Miami-Dade Affordable Housing Surtax Program that leaves in the Board�s local control authority over how to allocate Surtax funds between rental housing and homeownership opportunities.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the issue identified in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item as a critical priority in the 2009 state legislative package.