Our Mission:
Providing adequate, safe and affordable housing to very low, low and moderate income residents, while supporting the City of Lakeland's redevelopment efforts and promoting self-sufficiency.
The City of Lakeland's Housing Office administers a number of Federal and State grant programs designed for the preservation and development of affordable housing, and expended economic opportunities for persons of low to moderate income.
Funding is generally restricted to benefit very low, low and moderate income residents and families. See Income Chart or contact the Housing Office for additional details.
What is Affordable Housing?
Housing is affordable if it costs no more than 30% of one’s income. People who pay more than this are considered “cost-burdened.” Those who pay more than 50% are “severely cost-burdened.” High housing prices can slow down a local economy, leaving jobs unfilled and siphoning spending power away from local goods and services.
The City of Lakeland is committed to partnering with developers to encourage the construction of safe, affordable, high-quality housing. The following table shows units constructed or planned from October 2019 to present.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
The City of Lakeland's Housing Department may be able to help low and very low-income households with disaster-related housing repairs and relocation assistance. Following a disaster as declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Florida, SHIP funds may be used to address emergency housing repair. This strategy aims to address the immediate health and safety needs of eligible clients in the event of a disaster. Relocation assistance may be provided.
Generally, such needs may include the purchase of emergency supplies for income-eligible households to weatherproof damaged homes; provide interim repairs to avoid further damage; tree and debris removal; or other assistance as necessary to make individual housing units habitable. This assistance would additionally be for non-insured repairs such as insurance deductible expenses.
Clients are served on a “first qualified, first served basis.” The maximum award is $85,000. Mobile homes are not eligible for assistance.
Contact the Housing Department at housing@lakelandgov.net or 863.834.3360 for more information.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Individuals and households can also apply to FEMA for help with temporary housing, basic home repairs, and certain other uninsured disaster-related needs. To apply, visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, give FEMA the number for that service.
Potential applicants should contact their insurance companies first because FEMA will not pay for items that insurance covers.
- For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to, youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw.
- For information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian.
- Follow FEMA on Twitter at FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of Lakeland has prepared its Annual Performance Reports for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program. These reports contain information on the status of all SHIP funded projects completed before June 30, 2022. Included is the SHIP Close Out Report for 2019-2020, SHIP Interim Reports for 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. The Annual Performance Reports shall be submitted to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) in Tallahassee, Florida, to be received by the FHFC on or before September 15, 2022.
The Annual Performance Reports are available for review by contacting the Planning and Housing Division at housing@lakelandgov.net, where interested parties may obtain a free copy or receive information about the reports or SHIP Annual Report.
Anyone wishing to comment on the reports must do do prior to September 5, 2022. Written public comments shall identify the author by name, address, and interest affected. Comments should be addressed to Michael B. Smith, Housing Programs Manager, Planning and Housing Division, 1104 Martin Luther Kin Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805 or housing@lakelandgov.net and to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301-1329.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds
Program Year: October 1, 2022 -September 30, 2023
The City of Lakeland is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare an Action Plan to qualify for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program funds. The One Year Action Plan for 2022-2023, to be presented at public hearings before the City Commission on June 20, 2022, and July 18, 2022, identifies the City's housing and non-housing community development needs and outlines a strategy to address these needs.
The City's One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for Program Year 2022-2023 will be available for public review for thirty (30) days beginning June 6, 2022. Interested persons may review the documents at the Community and Economic Development Department, Housing Division, located at 1104 Martin L. King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, 33805 or Action Plan Draft for 2022-23. Written comments should be provided to the department prior to July 12, 2022. Mailed comments should be addressed as follows: Michael B. Smith, Housing Programs Manager, Community and Economic Development Department, Housing Division, 1104 Martin L. King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, 33805.
The Lakeland City Commission will hold a public hearing on July 18, 2022, in the City Commission Room, City Hall, at 9:00a.m. to review the One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for PY2022-2023, and to review any comments received from residents. The City Commission will authorize the City administration to submit the plan to HUD with any necessary modifications.
Below is the City's mission, as stated in the Consolidated Plan & Strategy for 2021-2025; the long and short-term Community Development objectives; and the priorities identified in the One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for 2022-2023.
MISSION STATEMENT: To provide adequate, safe and affordable housing to very low, low and moderate income homeowners while supporting the City's redevelopment efforts and promoting self-sufficiency.
The City established the following priorities and objectives for the Consolidated Plan & Strategy for 2021-2025 and the Action Plan for 2022-2023:
LONG TERM OBJECTIVES & GOALS - 2021-2025:
Objective 1: Provide affordable, safe, decent housing
- Preserve and maintain affordable housing by correcting substandard housing conditions;
- Increase homeownership opportunities for low to moderate income individuals through affordable homes construction & down payment assistance;
- Increase rental housing units through partnerships with the public housing authority and private sector investors; and
- Assist in the provision of persons and/or families at risk of becoming homeless and those homeless to obtain affordable housing.
Objective 2: Establish and maintain a suitable living environment
- Improve safety and livability of neighborhoods;
- Improve housing and neighborhood conditions for homeowners and renters through code enforcement;
- Provide infrastructure improvements, including street and sidewalks; and
- Increase access to quality facilities and services.
Objective 3: Expand economic opportunities
- Empower low income persons to achieve self-sufficiency; and
- Assist in provide employment opportunities to low income persons in areas affected by those programs and activities covered by the Plan.
SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES & GOALS - 2022-2023:
- Provide owner-occupied rehabilitation for ten (10) single family homes.
- Provide home purchase assistance in the form of down payment and closing costs assistance for five (5) low-income households.
- Provide temporary relocation for three (3) low-income households.
- Provide limited property clearance for two (2) projects not directly related to the rehabilitation program.
- Provide staff level activity to support Housing Division administered owner-occupied rehabilitation program for ten (10) low-income households.
- Code Enforcement activity for over two thousand nineteen (2,019) households in targeted census tracts.
- Provide general program administration including the oversight, monitoring, and coordination of CDBG and HOME programs for ten (10) low-income households.
- Provide construction funds for one (1) house to be constructed or acquired and rehabilitated under HOME CHDO program.
- Provide summer recreational activities to one hundred (100) children and youth through summer day camp.
- Provide summer tutoring for over fifty (50) children.
- Provide tutoring during the school year for over sixty (60) children.
- Provide after school youth programs for four (4) low-income families.
- Provide after school art classes for two hundred fifty (250) low-income families.
- Provide dance and life skills classes for two hundred fifty (250) low-income families.
- Provide swimming classes to seventy-four (74) low-income families.
- Provide home based early intervention to one hundred eighty-five (185) children aged birth to three years old who are risk for developmental delays.
- Provide one-to-one based mentoring to ten (10) at risk low-income children.
- Provide a save after school and summer camp program for eighty (80) low-income families through the Boys and Girls Club.
- Provide funds to help one hundred (100) low-income families at risk homelessness through eviction defense and fair housing community education.
- Provide funds for resources to help ten (10) homeless households.
- Provide medical care for three hundred eighty (380) working uninsured through a volunteer medical program.
- Provide immediate crisis mental health services to twelve (12) low children, adolescents, and adults.
- Provide funds to help pay utility cost for emergency homeless facility that provides shelter for five hundred (500) low income and homeless citizens.
- Provide counseling for fifty (50) chronically homeless male substance abusers.
- Provide funds for construction or affordable housing for one (1) low-income family.
The primary use of City CDBG and HOME funds will be the rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing for lower income persons and for rental development. Additional assistance will be provided through HANDS of Central Florida, Inc. to assist low to moderate-income households in home purchases.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding, or those requiring language assistance (free of charge) should contact the City of Lakeland ADA Specialist, Jenny Sykes. Because providing a reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organizations, or resources, the City asks that any request be made with as much notice as possible, preferably 72 hours, but no later than 48 hours in advance of the event, at 863.834.8444 or Jenny.Sykes@lakelandgov.net. If hearing impaired, please contact the TDD numbers: Local - 863.834.8333 or Toll Free at 800.955.8771 (TDD - Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or the Florida Relay Service number is 800.955.8770(VOICE), for assistance.
BRIAN REWIS, DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CITY OF LAKELAND, FLORIDA
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
CITY OF LAKELAND
PUBLIC SERVICES APPLICATIONS
Program Year 2022-2023
The Application is available now online only for non-profit organizations seeking funds to provide public service programs for the program year 2022-2023.
The application cycles for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and General Fund have been consolidated into one cycle.
For any questions, please email the City of Lakeland's Planning & Housing Office at housing@lakelandgov.net or by calling 863.834.3360.
Housing Rehabilitation Available
The City of Lakeland's Planning & Housing Division is accepting applications for Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied, Single-Family Homes ONLINE ONLY. Applicants must own and have lived in their home for at least one year prior to applying for rehabilitation assistance. Mobile homes and rental properties are not eligible for rehabilitation assistance. Homes in historic districts are subject to additional program restrictions.
| CITY OF LAKELAND, FLORIDA | ||||
| HOUSING ASSISTANCE INCOME SCHEDULE | ||||
| % OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME | CDBG & HOME UP TO 80% (Federal Funds) | |||
| EXTREMELY LOW | VERY LOW | LOW | ||
| 30% | 50% | 60% | 80% | |
| BASED ON FAMILY SIZE | HUD & FHFC | HUD & FHFC | FHFC | HUD & FHFC |
| 1 | 14,200 | 23,650 | 28,380 | 37,800 |
| 2 | 18,310 | 27,000 | 32,400 | 43,200 |
| 3 | 23,030 | 30,400 | 36,480 | 48,600 |
| 4 | 27,750 | 33,750 | 40,500 | 54,000 |
| 5 | 32,470 | 36,450 | 43,740 | 58,350 |
| 6 | 37,190 | 39,150 | 46,980 | 62,650 |
| 7 | 41,850 | 41,850 | 50,220 | 67,000 |
| 8 | 44,550 | 44,550 | 53,460 | 71,300 |
|
Income levels are based on Area Median Income (AMI) for family of four at $67,500.00 Data effective April 18, 2022 and retrieved from the following web sources: HUD=https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2022/2022summary.odn Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) -https://www.floridahousing.org/owners-and-managers/compliance/income-limits (2022) |
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The Planning & Housing Division is located:
1104 Martin L. King, Jr. Avenue
Lakeland, Florida 33805
Sources of funding for this program may include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP). For more information, please contact the Housing Office at 863.834.3360 or by email to housing@lakelandgov.net.
Foreclosure Prevention
The City of Lakeland has partnered with Keystone Challenge Fund, Inc. to provide housing counseling services to help qualified homeowners avoid foreclosure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact 863.687.1025 or visit HANDS for more information or to apply for assistance.
Related Links
Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Florida's Hardest-Hit Fund Program
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Polk County Housing & Neighborhood Development