TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MANAGER, THROUGH THE MIAMI-DADE HOUSING AGENCY, TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST; REQUIRING REPORT

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WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has expressed its intent to form Community Land Trusts in Miami-Dade Ordinance 01-47; and
WHEREAS, Community Land Trusts are a method to assist the community to acquire land as well as rehabilitate existing buildings to develop and provide permanent affordable housing, in a variety of forms, to very low, low, low- moderate persons and families, as well as to the low income elderly, the working poor and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the housing costs in Miami-Dade County continue to rise, placing a financial strain on very low, low, low- moderate persons and families, as well as to the low income elderly, the working poor and persons with disabilities, and many families; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has limited affordable housing options for very low, low, low-moderate persons and families, as well as to the low income elderly, the working poor and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Community Land Trusts have been formed in other high housing cost urban areas to provide a method to acquire and hold land and/or property for the benefit of the community and to subsequently provide affordable housing options; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County operates a number of programs to assist in developing affordable housing for very low, low, low-moderate persons and families, as well as to the low income elderly, the working poor and persons with disabilities and first-time home-buyers; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County needs to provide additional options for affordable housing for very low, low, low- moderate persons and families, as well as to the low income elderly, the working poor and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County seeks a cohesive approach to the acquisition of land, as well as existing property and buildings for the development of single family homes, as well as multifamily dwellings for the development and construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing for very low, low, low- moderate persons and families, as well as to the low income elderly, the working poor and persons with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Community Land Trust model is one area of affordable housing strategy Miami-Dade County has not aggressively pursued,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board of Commissioners directs:
Section 1. The County Manager, through the Miami-Dade Housing Agency, to develop recommendations for the implementation of a Community Land Trust including but not limited to:

(a) the appropriate steps for Miami-Dade County to establish a countywide community land trust and/or community-based community land trusts, including but not limited establishing or collaborating with an established nonprofit organization engaged in the business of developing affordable housing in Miami-Dade County;

(b) the appropriate steps to determine the availability of land and acquisition of land, including appropriate timelines;

(c) the appropriate financing and funding mechanisms available through local, state and federal agencies and programs to provide a revenue stream for community land trust organizations;

(d) the available financing mechanisms available through local, state, and federal agencies to finance development, acquisition or rehabilitation of existing properties, and the clearing of all liens including but not limited to bond financing, tax credits, incremental property tax recapture and general Fund commitment;

(e) the advantages/disadvantages of home ownership versus rental-type community land trusts;

(f) the ordinance changes, if any, Miami-Dade County needs to implement to establish community land trusts;

(g) the other relevant matters that shall be considered for the development and implementation of a community land trusts.

Section 2. The County Manager, through the Miami-Dade Housing Agency, to consult with the appropriate County Departments and Authorities to develop the aforementioned recommendations.
Section 3. The County Manager, through Miami-Dade Housing Agency, to prepare said recommendations in writing for presentation to the Economic Development and Human Services Committee of the Board of County Commissioners within ninety (90) days of the adoption of this resolution.