Building Affordable Housing in Charlotte County just got easier.
Looking to build Affordable Housing in Charlotte County? Charlotte HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Easier) helps qualified developers offset development costs and streamline the process. The program, established by Resolution of the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners on July 28, 2020, is designed to reduce development barriers and encourage the construction of Affordable Housing, including both multi-family rental developments and subsidized single-family homes.
Incentives are awarded based on a tiered scoring system using the Affordable Housing Prioritization Matrix. Applications meeting Tier I criteria receive designation as Affordable Housing, Expedited Permiting and Impact Fee Waiver. Applications meeting Tiers II, III, and IV criteria, that are requesting additional incentives, subsidies, and or funding require approval from both the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) and the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).
Have questions? Reach out to the Review Committee at CharlotteHOME@charlottecountyfl.gov
Are you an individual looking for help with Rent, Mortgage, Utilities, or Home Repair Assistance? Visit our Help Paying Bills page.
For purposes of the Charlotte HOME Program:
“Affordable” or “Affordable Housing” means housing that is affordable to households with incomes at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), adjusted for household size. The Income and Rent Limits Chart is updated annually by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). Eligibility verification is required, and all affordable homes are subject to land use and/or deed restrictions.
Subsidized Single-Family Ownership refers to an Affordable single-family home developed by a Not-for-Profit Housing Developer or Community Land Trust (CLT) in which at least two (2) of the following criteria are met:
- The housing unit has a guaranteed and quantifiable subsidy attached to it that offsets the costs associated with development, thereby enabling the unit to be maintained as affordable to the end user throughout the entire term of the loan or agreement; or
- Not-for-Profit Developer/CLT holds a ground lease; or
- Not-for-Profit Developer/CLT is also the primary mortgage holder; or
- Not-for-Profit Developer/CLT holds a second “shared equity” mortgage preventing the homeowner from “flipping” the property and cashing out, thus ensuring the continued affordability of the home for a specified term.
- Expedited Permitting – Streamline the process to get your project started faster
- Impact Fee Waivers – Reduce costs for Affordable Housing units
- Fee Subsidies – Subsidize utility connection, environmental, and other public fees
- Land Donation – Leverage County-owned surplus land available for Affordable Housing development
Applications for incentives are reviewed and scored by a committee composed of representatives from Community Development, Human Services/Housing, Utilities, and the City of Punta Gorda (as needed). The committee evaluates and scores applications using the Affordable Housing Prioritization Matrix. Tier II–IV applications require further review by AHAC and the BCC. Public meetings are held as needed to review applications and make recommendations.
Contact Information
Rich Gromalski
Charlotte HOME Coordinator
21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Phone: 941.833.6520