CRA authorizes release of FY2027 unit-creation funds, asks CACs for written allocation guidance

The Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency voted to authorize staff to release FY2027 funds for the Unit Creation and Conversion Program — the developer-subsidy component intended to spur new affordable units — while directing staff to gather written recommendations from each CRA Community Advisory Council on how 30% housing allocations should be prioritized. Board member Alan Clendenin moved the action and Board member Luis Viera seconded. The board debated whether to release funding immediately or wait for additional studies, especially for Ybor, which had requested a housing-capacity analysis before approving new disbursements.

Belix Parks, CRA community coordinator, told the board that staff recommends releasing FY2027 funding and running the program as a competitive cycle scored by a five-member committee that includes two CAC representatives. "Once we release in October, that's basically saying, 'Here go the dollars,'" Parks said, summarizing the program timeline and the intent to vet proposals against industry standards and community needs. Parks also said staff would present a report in July with further details on the proposed process and timeline.

Board members split on priorities. Board member Lynn Hurtak urged caution about over-subsidizing individual home purchases and placed emphasis on producing a variety of housing types and rental-rehab programs: "I think down payment assistance is great, but we really have to work on all of this," Hurtak said. Board member Bill Carlson advocated shifting more funds toward down-payment assistance to help qualified buyers enter homeownership quickly.

The board also acknowledged uneven conditions across CRA areas. Parks provided area-by-area figures during her presentation: for East Tampa she cited a total budget around $16.659 million (including rollover), with about $3.5 million encumbered and $4.9 million expended, leaving roughly $8.1 million available; other CRA areas (West Tampa, Ybor, downtown) showed different balances and pipeline capacity. Staff said that although East Tampa shows large ongoing demand, some CRAs have balances but fewer viable housing projects, which informed staff’s recommendation to move forward and let the market propose projects under the new competitive framework.

The motion to authorize release under the conditions Parks explained passed after debate; board members asked staff to collect and return with CAC-written recommendations on how released funds should be allocated and scored. Parks told the board that the new scoring process would compare proposals against industry cost standards and include community representatives on the scoring committee.

Next steps: staff will present the Unit Creation and Conversion program in July and return with CAC feedback and a recommended application cycle and scoring framework.