Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)

housing committee

The City of Port St. Lucie established the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) through Ordinance 08-42. This nine-member committee, as outlined in Section 420.9076, Florida Statutes, is responsible for:

  • Reviewing the City’s policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations and the adopted Comprehensive Plan.
  • Recommending actions or initiatives that encourage or support the development and preservation of affordable housing, while also protecting the ability of property to appreciate in value.

Committee members are appointed by City Council and serve in an advisory capacity, providing recommendations on affordable housing issues within the community.

Beginning in 2020, AHAC must submit an annual report to City Council. This report evaluates how the City implements affordable housing incentives pursuant to Section 420.9076(4), Florida Statutes.

In addition, the committee reviews and updates the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) every three years for submission to the Florida Housing Coalition (FHC).

Recommendations from AHAC could include:

  • Modifying or repealing existing policies, procedures, ordinances or regulations.
  • Creating exceptions that support affordable housing.
  • Proposing new policies, procedures, regulations or plan amendments, including updates to the Comprehensive Plan and related regulations or ordinances.

To learn more about statewide affordable housing research and initiatives, visit the Florida Housing Coalition at www.flhousing.org.

Committee membership and qualifications

The committee is composed of nine volunteer members who serve under the provisions of Florida’s Sunshine Law.

  • All members must reside within the City of Port St. Lucie.
  • The committee convenes annually and must include one locally elected official, along with representatives from at least six of the professional or community categories defined in state statute.

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

  • A citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home-building industry in connection with affordable housing.
  • A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing.
  • A citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
  • A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
  • A citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  • A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  • A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
  • 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.
  • A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
  • A citizen who represents the employers within the jurisdiction.
  • A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.

Current members and their roles

Anthony Bonna, Sr.
Position: Local Elected Official, City Council District 3
Expertise: City of Port St. Lucie

Dawn Burlace
Position: Citizen engaged in the banking or mortgage industry
Expertise: Broker/Owner, Mortgage Loan Originator, Florida Real Estate Navigators

Sameia Hawkins
Position: Citizen advocate for low‑income persons
Expertise: Housing Office Coordinator, Seminole Tribe of Florida

Quinesha “Nikki” Adderly‑Hawkins
Position: Citizen engaged as a real estate professional
Expertise: Founder & CEO, Atlante Development Group; Realtor, Central Coast Realty

Stefan Obel
Position: Citizen residing within the jurisdiction
Expertise: Port St. Lucie resident; IT Security Engineer; Chairperson, Homeowner Selection & Support Committee; Underwriter/Loan Originator; Habitat for Humanity volunteer

Stephanie Heidt
Position: Citizen residing within the jurisdiction
Expertise: Port St. Lucie resident; Certified Planner; Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (Economic Development & Intergovernmental Programs)

Kylee Fuhr
Position: Representative of essential services personnel
Expertise: St. Lucie County Public Schools District Homeless Liaison

Immacula Carpentier
Position: Citizen engaged as a not‑for‑profit provider of affordable housing
Expertise: Director of Lease Administration, Prestige Estates Property Management

Marybeth Lee‑Pappas
Position: Citizen engaged as a real estate professional
Expertise: Realtor and Port St. Lucie resident

Robbie Lert (Alternate Member)
Position: Citizen residing within the jurisdiction
Expertise: Check resume for more information

Sandy Colon (Alternate Member)
Position: Citizen residing within the jurisdiction
Expertise: 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

For questions, contact Neighborhood Services at 772-344-4084 or email NSD@cityofpsl.com. 

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