Inspire Article

P.E.A.C.E. tackles affordable housing in PBC in County Commission Chambers and wins!

01.13.2010
Posted by Emily Small of People Engaged in Active Community Efforts (PEACE)
Affordable housing mini-action 11/17/09

On November 17th of this past year, 165 PEACE members showed up at the Board of County Commissioners to support a resolution on the agenda, that was the result of 2 1/2 years of hard work by the organization.

Having identified in late 2006 that our community is in an affordable housing crisis, PEACE had been pushing for a dedicated funding stream of funding for affordable housing.  At the group's Nehemiah Action Assembly last spring (attended by 956 members), Commissioners Koons, Santamaria, and Vana agreed to support a resolution creating that dedicated stream

The resolution was finally before the Commissioners on November 17th, and it was greeted with a show of "people power" by the organization.  It was passed, allocating $1,037,000 to the crisis next October, and 50% of all interest earned on impact fees starting in October of 2014.  Historically, interest earned on impact fees in Palm Beach County has ranged between $2 and $14 million a year. 

Now, the group will turn its sights to ensuring that just policies and procedures are set up around the program.  Specifically, the group will be pushing that it be used for affordable rentals for those making under $40,000 a year.