Election Day in Palm Beach may pave way for more affordable housing
By Matilda Pollard
The $200 million housing bond on the ballot in Palm Beach County has given eligible voters the opportunity to address the affordable housing crisis in the area.
Election Day will allow voters in Florida to choose which representatives they want in the Senate, Congress and gubernatorial positions as well as many other important roles. But on the back of the ballot, more local initiatives are up for the public to decide, including the county question of whether to increase affordable housing units to address rising housing costs for essential workers.
“For an additional $14 a year, we have the opportunity to produce units, we hope up to 20,000 units over the next 10 years at least, with that amount of money coming from the housing bond,” said Annetta Jenkins, Director of Neighborhood Services in the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, and member of the Housing Leadership Council Board of Directors.
The bond, which if approved could be active as soon as next year, would also bring in other money that might help increase homeownership and pave routes for non-profits to create housing helping teachers, police officers, firefighters, clerks and other essential workers.
Affordable housing applies to households whose income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), according to the Palm Beach Post. The money for the bonds comes from taxpayers, which makes garnering support for the cause more difficult because of the widespread disapproval of a greater tax burden on the citizens of Palm Beach County.
According to Redfin’s analysis of the Palm Beach County housing market, as of last month, home prices in the county rose over 20% compared to 2021. Inflation has been increasingly high, and many people do not want property taxes to go up. County commissioners Melissa McKinlay and Maria Marino voted against the housing bond issue, further addressing these concerns.
“Given the current severe shortage of affordable housing in the South Florida region, provision of affordable housing is critical for economic vitality, neighborhood stability, job stability and social equity,” said Yanmei Li, Associate Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida Atlantic University.
Experts like Li and Jenkins encourage changes that have the potential to benefit the residents of Palm Beach County.
“The housing issue is something that must be addressed, and this is a step in creating affordable housing and the democratic party is firmly behind that,” said Terrie Rizzo, Chair of the Executive Committee of Party Organization of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party.
The housing bond also opens opportunities for developers and could help address supply and demand issues across South Florida. In Riviera Beach, Jenkins is currently part of efforts to establish a housing trust fund which, if approved, would authorize additional housing in exchange for developers paying into the fund.
“Having local sources of money or subsidies to assist affordable and workforce housing is necessary. It is so challenging to produce housing for certain income levels, and quite frankly in today’s market it is difficult to produce housing for almost anyone in our county,” said Jenkins.
According to Data USA reports, in 2020 Riviera Beach had a 54.7% homeownership rate, which Jenkins claims to have decreased to less than 30% over the two-year time span.
With challenges such as high interest rates, low supply and limited subsidies, creating homeownership opportunities for low to moderate-income families has been incredibly difficult for those in positions of power.
“Everybody needs a place to live, and voting should be about making sure that we all, all of us, share in the quality of life that this beautiful place offers. We all have a piece in it; it’s not just for the government to do, or nonprofits to do, or the banks to do. All of us have to participate,” said Jenkins.
Jenkins also plays a major role in the Palm Beach County Housing Action Plan in which she advocates for minorities with the “Housing for All” program.
“Affordable housing can help residents in low-income minority communities avoid displacement associated with gentrification and rapid increase in housing price. Housing security can promote physical and mental health, ensure job security, and improve children’s school performance,” said Li.
Local Palm Beach County events like homeowner’s fairs help educate people across South Florida about valuable concepts such as financial literacy and maintaining stability when it comes to owning and renting property.
“We definitely have to have grassroots strategies to reach those who need it the most,” said Jenkins, “We have to try to make sure that people are not pushed out because where will they go? Everybody deserves a decent, safe, and affordable place to live.”
Short term efforts in Palm Beach County include a townhouse project, beautification initiatives, rehabilitation situations and the maintenance of existing ownership.
“I think we all have a shared responsibility to help each other and help those who are less fortunate yet hard-working,” said Li.
The importance of voting on issues like the housing bond in Palm Beach County is highly publicized in most areas with signs and informative mail promotions. A push in recent years has been to get the younger generation of eligible voters to engage in the election process.
“Every vote counts up and down the ballot,” said Rizzo. “Everybody should make a plan to vote.”
Voting can be done in person or through mail-in ballots. To check voter registration, status, and to track mail-in ballots, visit pbcelections.org. Rizzo also emphasized exactly why eligible voters should participate in the midterm elections.
“Voting is critical for selecting all of the representatives in government who affect your daily life. From local city commissioners, through state legislators all the way up to the President of the United States. Your vote to elect these people determines the future of our community, our state and our country,” said Rizzo. “If you don’t vote you’re leaving it in the hands of others who may not think like you do.”
