Affordable Housing

The information provided below is a general summary of the Development Management Division's involvement with Broward County's affordable housing program. The specific regulations, contained in the Broward County Land Development Code, have been adopted by ordinance of the County Commission and cannot be superseded by this presentation of information. Please consult with staff of the Development Management Division for details.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Affordable housing is defined by Chapter 420, Florida Statutes, as when the cost of monthly rents or monthly mortgage payments including taxes, insurance, and utilities, does not exceed 30% of the median adjusted gross annual income for very low, low, and moderate income households. Affordable housing is the same as market rate housing except that it costs less due to financing strategies that pass savings on to the lower income resident.

Income and housing are normally defined for a family of four (4) and vary by county. The Land Development Code defines three (3) affordable housing categories. Very low income is defined as an income up to 50% of median income. Low income is from 50% to 80% of median income. Moderate income is from 80% to 120% of the median income. As of January 2002, Broward County's median income was $60,200. The tables at the end of this section show rent and income limits.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - PROJECT CERTIFICATION

Projects designated as affordable housing are eligible for reduced or waived impact and application fees, and expedited permit review in the unincorporated area. In order to become eligible for these incentives, an Affordable Housing Certification Letter must be applied for and received from the Broward County Community Development Division. This letter contains the project's legal description and identifies unit type(s) and level(s) of affordability (i.e. very low, low and moderate) designated for the project. Various information is required as part of the affordable housing qualification process.

Please contact the Broward County Community Development Division for information regarding how to obtain a Certification Letter.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - PROJECT REVIEW

Applicants for affordable housing projects are often required to submit development applications to the Development Management Division for various approvals including:

In order to take advantage of reduced or waived impact and application fees, and expedited permit review in the unincorporated area, the Certification Letter issued by the Broward County Community Development Division must accompany any application for development approval filed at the Development Management Division.

According to the Land Development Code, the County Commission waive impact and application fees for affordable housing projects as follows:

Very low income projects are eligible for a 100 % waiver of application and impact fees.*

Low income projects are eligible for a 75 % waiver of application and impact fees.*

Moderate income projects are eligible for a 50 % waiver of application and impact fees.*

* Please note School Board of Broward County approval is required prior to the waiver of educational impact fees by the County Commission.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - FINANCING SOURCES

Available financing for construction of affordable housing projects is administered through the Broward County Community Development Division and the Broward County Office of Housing Finance. Grant or loan funds are available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. Additionally, funding is available through the Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Program.

For further information on available financing resources and available funding, please contact the Broward County Community Development Division. The Broward County Office of Housing Financing Staff manages projects associated with bond program financing. Please contact the Broward County Office of Housing Finance for further information.

The tables below summarize maximum rent and income limits for affordable housing.

Maximum Rent Limits Adjusted to Unit Size: These figures represent the maximum gross chargeable rents as of May 1, 2002, which must include an allowance for utilities.

Income Category	Efficiency>	One Bedroom	Two Bedroom	Three Bedroom	Four Bedroom
Very Low	$430.00	>$461.00	$553.00	$740.00	$825.00
Low	$497.00	$533.00	$640.00	$927.00	$1015.00
Moderate	$517.00	609.00	$754.00	$1,049.00	$1,233.00

HUD CDBG and HOME 2002 Income Limits (Effective 1/31/02)

CBDG and HOME PROGRAM INCOME LIMITS
HOUSEHOLD SIZE		VERY LOW (UP TO 50 %)	LOW (51% TO 80%)
1	$12,650.00	$21,050.00	$33,700.00
2	$14,450.00	$24,100.00	$38,550.00
3	$16,250.00	$27,100.00	$43,350.00
4	$18,050.00	$30,100.00	$48,150.00
5	$19,500.00	>$32,500.00	$52,000.00
6	$20,950.00	$34,900.00	$55,850.00
7	$22,400.00	$37,300.00>	$59,700.00
8	$23,850.00	$39,750.00	$63,550.00

Note: Broward County Median Family Income - $60,200.

Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development annual estimates of median family income units.