Inclusionary Housing

Workshop Builds on Inclusionary Housing Concept

Notice of Intent to Adopt Proposed Ordinance and Request for Public Comment

Charrette Questions and Answers

Workshop Builds on Inclusionary Housing Concept - watch video clip
required software
An Inclusionary Housing Design Charrette drew approximately 60 community representatives to Largo Cultural Center on June 4. The six-hour event, hosted by the Community Development Department, featured keynote speakers Jaimie A. Ross, affordable housing director for 1000 Friends of Florida, and Nicholas J. Brunick, of Applegate and Thorne-Thomsen. presentation

Pinellas County Commissioner Kenneth T. Welch started the meeting with a summary of the proposed inclusionary housing ordinance, which is presently being drafted at the county level. The ordinance would require that new housing developments of 20 or more units include a percentage of affordable housing. In exchange, developers would receive a density bonus. Other options would be available, such as off-site development or contributions to the affordable housing trust fund.

County commissioners and staff have spent the last couple of months presenting the concept to municipal officials and receiving feedback on the proposal. The charrette gave officials an opportunity to encourage small-group discussions to stimulate ideas that may be incorporated into the final draft. Developers, elected officials and interested citizens attended and offered a variety of viewpoints.

A draft of the inclusionary housing ordinance is expected to come before the County Commission in July, at which time a public hearing will give the public an additional opportunity to offer comments on it.

return to top

Notice of Intent to Adopt Proposed Ordinance and Request for Public Comment-
DRAFT ORDINANCE - NOTICE OF INTENT - Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Comment Sheet
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners hereby give notice of intent to adopt a proposed Ordinance establishing an inclusionary housing program. The proposed program would require that housing developments of twenty units or larger include a percentage of units affordable to the local workforce or provide affordable housing by an alternative method. A summary chart of the program identifies affordable housing requirements, development options and program incentives.
Inclusionary housing is a policy tool for meeting the public goal of  providing affordable housing and creating mixed-income communities.  The DRAFT ordinance is based in part on the findings contained in the report: Housing Nexus Analysis prepared by Bay Area Economics.

return to top