Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)

housing committee

The City of Port St. Lucie created the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) by Ordinance 08-42. The purpose of this 9 member committee, as described by 420.9076 Fla. Stat., is to:

  • review policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and the adopted local government comprehensive plan
  • recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value.

As of 2020, the committee is required to submit a report annually, as opposed to triennially, to the City Council that includes recommendations on and evaluates the implementation of affordable housing incentives as required by 420.9076(4) Fla. Stat. The City's Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) will also be reviewed and edited by the Committee for triennial submission to the State's Florida Housing Coalition (FHC). The recommendations may include the modification or repeal of existing policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions; the creation of exceptions applicable to affordable housing; or the adoption of new policies, procedures, regulations, ordinances, or plan provisions, including recommendations to amend the local government comprehensive plan and corresponding regulations, ordinances and other policies.

More information about the State's research and activities on affordable housing can be found at www.flhousing.org.

The Committee is appointed by the City Council to make recommendations to the City Council on Affordable Housing issues.

The City of Port St. Lucie's AHAC

The Committee will consist of nine members subject to the Sunshine Law's provisions and serve voluntarily. Qualified candidates must reside within the City of Port St. Lucie. The Committee is held annually and must consist of one local, elected official and representatives from at least 6 of the following categories.

Eight individual member seats are available for residents actively engaged in one or more of the areas listed below:

  1. A citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home-building industry in connection with affordable housing.
  2. A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing.
  3. A citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
  4. A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
  5. A citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  6. A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  7. A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
  8. A citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to section 163.3174, Florida Statutes, notwithstanding any City ordinance or resolution to the contrary. Only one citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency may serve on the affordable housing advisory committee.
  9. A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
  10. A citizen who represents the employers within the jurisdiction.
  11. A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.

Current members of the City's AHAC (FY 2024-2025)

MEMBER AHAC POSITION EXPERTISE
Anthony Bonna Local Elected Official, City Council, District 3 Councilman Cityof Port St. Lucie
Dawn Burlace A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing. Broker/owner, Mortgage loan originator, FL Real Estate Navigators
Sameia Hawkins A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing. Housing Office Coordinator, Seminole Tribe of Florida
Rebecca Danise A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing. Realtor, Baron Real Estate Group, Banker with 30 years of expertise in underwriting, grants and HUD compliance
Quinesha "Nikki" Adderly-Hawkins A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing. Founder & CEO Atlante Development Group, Realtor, Central Coast Realty

Stefan Obel

 A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. City of Port St Lucie resident, IT Security Engineer, Chairperson of the Homeowner Selection and Support Committee, underwriter/loan originator & volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
Stephanie Heidt A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. City of Port St Lucie resident, certified planner and Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Economic Development and Intergovernmental Programs
Cynthia Herrera A citizen who represents the employers within the jurisdiction. Department Manager, Walmart
Kylie Fuhr A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan. SLC Public Schools District Homeless Liaison
Immacula Carpentier (alternate member) A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing. Director Lease Administration, Prestige Estates Property Management
Sandy Colon (alternate member) A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. Retired, Director of Housing, Urban League of Palm Beach County

Reports

All meeting agendas and minutes are available at psl.legistar.com.

Live Local Act (Senate Bill 102)

The Live Local Act requires the City to publish an inventory list of city owned real property which may be appropriate for affordable housing development by Oct. 1, 2023.

The City of Port St. Lucie has identified city owned parcels of land which may be appropriate for affordable housing development as part of it's regular AHAC activities via the Neighborhood Services Department and has documented said parcels of land in an inventory list referenced as Exhibit “A” of Resolution 23-R106(PDF, 153KB) that was adopted by City Council on Sept. 25, 2023.

Learn more about the Live Local Act from the Florida Governor's Office and Florida Housing Coalition.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the AHAC, please call Neighborhood Services at 772-344-4084 or email NSD@cityofpsl.com. 

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