Have an idea for affordable housing? Seminole County asks for public opinion

SEMINOL COUNTY, Florida. Rising rents, rising prices and fewer options are forcing needy Floridians and the organizations that help them find housing.

With approximately $3 million in federal funding under the HUD Home American Rescue Plan Act, the county is now asking the public for input on how best to use the money locally.

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Allison Thall, director of community services for Seminole County, says the spin-off is a big financial leap for the county. A typical distribution on an annual basis is between $700,000 and $800,000.

“I think this $3 million will have a significant impact on our residents,” Tull said.

Grant funds are administered through the HUD HOME Investment Partnership Program. There are certain ways to spend money:

• Producing or maintaining affordable housing

• Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

• Support Services, including services defined in 24 CFR 578.53(e), homelessness prevention services, and housing counseling.

• Purchase and construction of a non-congregation orphanage. These structures may remain in use as a non-crowded shelter or may be converted to:

  • 1) Emergency shelter under the Emergency Solutions Grant program;

  • 2) Permanent housing within the Continuum of Care; or

  • 3) Affordable housing under the HOME program

“Each of them is necessary, and that is why we are seeking the opinions of the public,” Tull said.

Tull says homelessness is rampant in Seminole County. They deal with it the best they can, but they say the problem is that extra help is always needed.

“I mean, it’s almost never enough because people move regularly and they find it costs more to live than they expected, or they move here as an older person on a limited income and find that, of course, the cost housing is simply out of reach for them now,” Tull said.

Matt Borchelt of the Longwood Exchange Center sees the need personally every day. The organization has become the most comprehensive social service center in Seminole County.

“We are seeing such an increase in the number of people needing help and financial assistance to pay rent and utilities,” says Borchelt.

Borchelt says they helped 18,000 people across campus last year, up about 30% from a year earlier. Now they help up to 70 people every day.

“One unexpected medical bill, a childhood illness or something like that is enough,” Borchelt said.

Borchelt showed News 6 a new, expanded campus that aims to balance the growing number of people in need of help with the necessary resources.

“The first thing we need is affordable housing. I don’t even call it affordable housing anymore,” Borchelt said. “We just need affordable housing that people can move into, invest in and keep it.”

Monthly rents for a 2-room apartment in Longwood, home of The Sharing Center, are up 9%, according to Rent.com. The data shows that most apartments in the city cost more than $2,100 a month.

“The need is very real and I don’t think it will go away in the near future,” Tull said.

Tull says federal funding is an opportunity to make a difference.

“These programs are designed to really help these people find, maintain and maintain affordable housing,” Tull said.

Seminole County residents have until Friday, January 27th to submit a review. Below is more information on how to weigh or learn more:

• Residents and community leaders should visit the SeminoleCountyFL.gov/HOMEARPA website by Friday, January 27 to provide feedback in the form of a survey to help create a plan for using these community-driven catalyst funds.

• In addition, interested parties can attend a virtual educational presentation on Wednesday, January 25 from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm to better understand how Seminole County receives these funds and how they can be used.

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