PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
APPROVAL OF REVISED LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN (LHAP) FY 2023-2026
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
The Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) governs Martin County’s State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP) programming and expenditures. The revised 2023-2026 LHAP was prepared by staff and reviewed by Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which approved the technical revision to the LHAP on April 6, 2026. This revision will mirror the 2026-2029 LHAP which was approved by the Board on March 24, 2026.
body
DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Philip Ratchford
Title: Human Services Grants Manager
REQUESTED BY: Michelle Miller, Human Services Director
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
Martin County maintains authority to review and/or revise the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP), with approval needed from Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) and the Martin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The LHAP is a guide for administering the local State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP) funds. Following a technical revision, the plan is presented to FHFC for tentative approval to ensure all information follows program guidelines. The revised LHAP is then brought before the BOCC for review and final approval, followed by re-submission to FHFC with the BOCC resolution.
To be eligible for SHIP funding for a state fiscal year, a county or eligible municipality shall submit and receive approval of its local housing assistance plan and amendments thereto as provided in Rule 67-37.006, F.A.C.
Staff completed a review of the LHAP and is making technical revisions to ensure the 2023-2026 LHAP aligns with the 2026-2029 LHAP that will go in affect on July 1, 2026 for new program applicants, after being approved by the BOCC on March 24, 2026. Existing program participants will utilize the 2023-2026 LHAP for the duration of their project, so the intent of this technical revision is to ensure consistent guidelines and program rules for all participants.
Final review and approval are now needed from the BOCC in order for a resolution documenting the finalization of the revised 2023-2026 LHAP to be submitted to FHFC. A technical revision to the LHAP does not require a public hearing.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
To the extent this item contains legal issues, it has been reviewed for legal sufficiency; although this is primarily a matter of Board policy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
1. Move that the Board approve the recommended 2023-2026 LHAP.
2. Move that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution (LHAP Exhibit E).
3. Move that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the LHAP Certification (LHAP Exhibit D).
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and provide staff with an alternate direction.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☒Other: Certification (LHAP Exhibit D)