Housing

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Lakeland 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, 2021. Included are: SHIP Close Out Report for 2018-2019, SHIP Interim Reports for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. 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, 2021.

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.

Anyone wishing to comment on the reports must do so prior to September 6, 2021. Written public comments shall identify the author by name, address, and interest affected. Comments should be addressed to Annie L. Gibson, Housing Programs Supervisor, Planning and Housing Division, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33805; housing@lakelandgov.net, and to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301-1329.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Annual Performance Report (APR)

Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact on Environment and Notice of Intent to Request for Release of Funds For Tiered Projects and Programs

August 17, 2021

CITY OF LAKELAND

1104 Martin L. King, Jr. Avenue

Lakeland, FL 33805

863/834-3360

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Lakeland.

Request for Release of Funds

On or about September 3, 2021, City of Lakeland will submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release Federal Funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for currently unspecified Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) projects and under Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. This is a multi-year project from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2026.

Tier I Broad Review Project/Program Title: Demolition & Clearance Program and Housing Rehabilitation for Community Development Block Gran (CDBG) fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

Purpose: The Demolition and Clearance Program will encompass demolition of abandoned and dilapidated structures to eliminate blight in residential areas. The City of Lakeland plans to implement the Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program in an effort to remedy substandard housing for low income residents. The program will include inspections to address items that do not meet City housing standards, as well as identifying lead-based paint hazards that may arise during the repairs.

Location: The Demolition and Housing Rehab programs are both city wide and all households located with the City Limits of Lakeland are eligible to apply.

Project/Program Description: Demolition of substandard homes and site clearance, major and minor repairs for single family, owner-occupied low-income housing units. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not address in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards 24 CFR Part 50 (d); Clean Air Act 40 CFR Part 6, 51, 93; Endangered Species 50 CFR Part 402; Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981; Flood Insurance 24 CFR 50.4(b)(1), 24 CFR 58.6(a), 24 CFR 55.1(b); Contamination and Toxic Substances (Single Family Residential Properties) 24 CFR 58.5(i)(2), 24 CFR 50.3(i); Explosive and Flammable Hazards 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart C; Floodplain Management 24 CFR 55; Historical Preservation 36 CFR 800; Nose Control Act CFR Part 51 (B); Sole Source Aquifers of Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974; Wetlands Protections Policy Act (FPPA)7 CFR Part 658; Wild and Scenic Rivers - Wild & Scenic Rivers Act of 1968; Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898 and Coastal Barrier Resource Act & Coastal Zone Management and Runway Clear Zones Requirements.

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any ): Issues, mitigation measures and conditions and permits will be addressed, as needed, in the Tier 2 site-specific review.

Estimated Annual Project Cost: Demolition and Clearance $5,000, Housing Rehabilitation $659,000, Housing Construction $200,000, and Home Purchase Assistance $100,000. Total $964,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Lakeland Planning and Housing Division has determined that the above project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 USC 4321) is not required.

The reasons for the decision not to prepare such Statement are as follows: No serious environmental adverse impacts or hazards were identified in the course of the environmental review.

An Environmental Review Record (ERR) respecting the proposed project has been made by the City of Lakeland which documents the environmental review of the project and more fully sets forth the reasons why such a Statement is not required. This Environmental Review Record is on file at the City of Lakeland Housing Division, 1104 Martin Luther King, Jr Ave. Lakeland, FL 33805. The records are available for public examination online here and copies available upon request between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs Five-Year Consolidated Plan & Strategy and One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds

Program Year: October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022

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 Five-Year Consolidated Plan & Strategy for 2021-2025 and One Year Action Plan for 2021-2022, to be presented at public hearings before the City Commission on July 6 and August 2, 2021, 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 2021- 2022 will be available for public review for thirty (30) days beginning July 1, 2021. 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. Written comments should be provided to the department prior to July 30, 2021. Mailed comments should be addressed as follows: Annie Gibson, Housing Programs Supervisor, Community and Economic Development Department, Planning & Housing Division, 1104 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida, 33805.
The Lakeland City Commission will hold public hearings on July 6, 2021 and August 2, 2021., in the City Commission Room, City Hall, at 9:00 p.m. to review the Five Year Consolidated Plan & Strategy (2021-2025) and One Year Action Plan and Projected Use of Funds for PY 2021-2022, 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.

Consolidated Action Plan

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The City of Lakeland Planning and Housing Division is soliciting proposals from organizations wishing to assist in the provision of affordable housing activities inside the city limits of Lakeland.

The complete RFP proposal packet and application is available below:

RFP and Application

Applicants must submit electronically to housing@lakelandgov.net or an original copy delivered to 1104 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33805 Attention: Annie Gibson prior to 5:00 p.m. July 23, 2021. For more information, please contact Mike Smith or Annie Gibson at 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	12,950	21,600	25,920	34,550
2	17,420	24,700	29,640	39,500
3	21,960	27,800	33,360	44,450
4	26,500	30,850	37,020	49,350
5	31,040	33,350	40,020	53,300
6	35,580	35,800	42,960	57,250
7	38,300	38,300	45,960	61,200
8	40,750	40,750	48,900	65,150
Income levels are based on Area Median Income (AMI) for family of four at $62,100.00 Data effective April 1, 2021 and retrieved from the following web sources: HUD=https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2021/2021summary.odn Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) -https://www.floridahousing.org/owners-and-managers/compliance/income-limits

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 Keystone Challenge Fund for more information or to apply for assistance.