Habitat Hillsborough could be impacted by county affordable housing changes

TAMPA, Fla (WFLA) — Hillsborough County commissioners voted to end an affordable housing relief program that was in place for nearly 30 years.

The decision was made during a regularly scheduled commission meeting in February.

The relief program incentivized developers who built affordable homes by waiving county impact fees.

“I was totally shocked given the situation of affordable housing right now,” said Tina Forcier, Habitat Hillsborough CEO.

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Forcier told 8 On Your Side the program helped the organization serve families wanting to become homeowners. She said the program’s end will make their efforts difficult.

“Those in the lower income brackets, we’re going to have to probably inch up and serve those in the higher income bracket, so it’s leaving people out,” she explained.

Commissioner Michael Owen shared his disapproval of the program during the meeting calling it a “break for developers.”

“These impact fees are being supplemented by the unincorporated part of Hillsborough County taxpayer dollars, and that’s why I think this portion of the ordinance shouldn’t exist because developers need to pay their fair share,” he said.

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Habitat Hillsborough says the decision will cost the organization $250,000 for fiscal year 2025.

“It’ll equate to at least one home each year that we’ll either have to make up with fundraising efforts or some other type of funding source,” Forcier said.

According to Forcier, there’s a huge need for affordable housing in Hillsborough County.

When Habitat Hillsborough opened its pre-application last month, nearly 2,500 people submitted applications in a two-day span.

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