Commission
LE HOUSING REPORT
Florida statutes require communities receiving state housing assistance funds to review policies and procedures and to make recommendations to encourage the development of affordable housing programs. In his presentation, Lazar began quoting a workforce housing report produced by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce that found the county faces a projected housing deficit of more than 13,000 just for employees at the area’ s largest employers and noted the complexity of the issue.
“ One single solution will not solve the complex housing crisis in St. Johns County,” the Chamber report said.“ A comprehensive, multi-faceted plan that includes zoning reform, targeted incentives, increased public investment and strategic land use must be urgently crafted to ensure housing is accessible to our workforce before the issue spirals further out of control.”
Lazar then reviewed some of the affordable housing projects underway in the county, including the Home Again St. Johns State Road 16 Campus, the Alpha Omega Miracle Home, Ability Housing Villages of New Augustine and Habitat for Humanity Volusia Woods.
“ We think this is a critical issue for our longterm economy,” he said.“ We really appreciate any feedback from all of you. We need some direction and at a certain point we need commissioners to say,‘ We need to try this.’ We’ ve got to figure out a way to house our local people.”
Among the recommendations listed in the report are plans for flexible densities, impact fee credit transfers and for the county to differentiate and codify definitions associated with affordable housing and workforce housing used in a variety of county documents including the land development code and comprehensive plan.
The report also listed several continuing recommendations, including modification of the impact fee policy, conducting a public land inventory, creating corporate incentives, expedited permitting, lower interest rate enticements, affordable accessory residential units, flexible lot configurations and supporting housing developments near transportation hubs.
While not necessarily endorsing any of the recommendations, commissioners unanimously approved a motion to accept the report.
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2026 | 31 |