Establishment and Duties
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee was established through adoption Volume 1, Chapter 58, Article V, Section 58-100 through 58-103 of the Escambia County Code of Ordinances relating to the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program.
Eligibility Criteria and Composition
Escambia County, as a participant in the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, is required under Section 420.9076, Florida Statutes, to establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC). All AHAC members will be solicited, appointed, and approved by Escambia County through the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).
The AHAC shall consist of a minimum of eight members but not more than 11 members who shall be appointed by the BCC and PCC. The AHAC must have one representative from at least six of the following areas: (1) Residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing; (2) Banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing; (3) Labor in home building in connection with affordable housing; (4) Advocacy for low income persons in connection with affordable housing; (5) For-profit provider of affordable housing; (6) Not-for-profit provider of affordable housing; (7) Real estate professional in connection with affordable housing; (8) Planning Board Member (County or City representative); (9) One citizen who resides within the jurisdiction; (10) One citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction; and (11) One citizen who represents essential services personnel as defined in the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan. Per state rule, local housing and planning staff are required to provide administrative support for the AHAC.
Meeting Schedule and Frequency
The Board shall meet at least quarterly, in accordance with the requirements of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law, to make recommendations concerning non-monetary initiatives and incentives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing. This process must be completed every three years with Recommendations presented to the BCC before the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Local Housing Assistance Plan is due.
Terms
Members of the AHAC shall serve terms of three years. A vacancy on the board shall be filled via appointment by the BCC for any unexpired term. Members whose terms have expired may be reappointed to additional terms at the discretion of the BCC. An AHAC member may be removed from office for any reason by majority vote of the BCC.
Vacancies existing on the AHAC shall be filled for the balance of the vacated term by the appointment in the same manner as the original appointment by the BCC and the PCC. The chairman and vice chairman of the board shall be elected annually by majority vote of the AHAC members voting at the October meeting. Members of the AHAC shall serve without compensation.
