Florida Housing Coalition urges Manatee County to use zoning, manufactured‑home law and public land to expand workforce housing

Ali, land‑use director at the Florida Housing Coalition, told the board April 8 that affordable housing must be a central part of Manatee County’s economic development strategy and reviewed land‑use and subsidy tools the county can use.

Ali highlighted four policy areas: (1) zoning changes to allow smaller units, accessory dwellings and lot‑splits; (2) zoning‑linked affordability requirements or density bonuses; (3) leveraging public land, community land trusts and long‑term subsidies to preserve affordability; and (4) local funding options such as impact‑fee subsidies, surtaxes and TIF resources.

She flagged HB 399, a recently enacted state law that requires certain factory‑built and modular homes to be treated as real property and permitted by‑right in zones allowing single‑family dwellings — a change Ali said could expand off‑site construction options if local codes are updated. She also explained proposed changes to the Live Local Act and an optional local tool allowing eligible housing on religious institution lands.

Ali recommended the county review its land‑development code to align with state changes, identify pilot sites for factory‑built housing and explore using state housing funds and local incentives to support lot‑rent assistance and public‑land projects.

Commissioners asked technical questions about tax implications, lot rents in manufactured‑home parks, and compatibility rules. County and coalition staff agreed to follow up with deeper research on property‑tax effects, zoning amendments and potential pilot projects.

Next steps: staff will analyze the county’s code relative to HB 399, return with concrete zoning amendments and cost‑estimates for pilot affordable‑housing actions.