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Approval of Housing Equity Plan
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
As a grant recipient of federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the County certifies it will take meaningful actions that overcome patterns of segregation and foster communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunities based on protected characteristics. The County also has an obligation to comply with the Fair Housing Act of 1968 which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and other real estate-related transactions because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability and further recognize ancestry, marital status, and age as protected classes.
To affirmatively further fair housing, Hernando County has developed a Housing Equity Plan which provides a comprehensive analysis of factors impacting housing choice in the County and outlines strategies intended to reduce or eliminate barriers to fair housing. One in-person public meeting and a virtual public meeting were held to help identify community assets, fair housing strengths, gaps to determine potential fair housing issues in Hernando County, and the best course of action for resolving any impediments to fair housing choice, particularly for protected class groups.
The Housing Equity Plan identified the following Fair Housing issues:
• Lack of Affordable and diverse housing stock.
• Lack of Affordable units due to the age of housing stock or exposure to natural disasters.
• Lack of access to subsidized housing in northeastern Hernando County.
• Low homeownership rates for working class residents ages 35-54.
• Low awareness of affordable housing and housing support services available to County residents.
• Lack of access to safe, affordable transportation options.
Intended strategies to address the issues are included in the plan. The Notice for 30-day public comment period and adoption of the Housing Equity Plan public hearing on May 13, 2025, was advertised April 4, 2025, and available for comment through May 5, 2025, and also at this open public meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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LEGAL NOTE
The Board has authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board adopt the attached Housing Equity Plan.