Developers cheer rejection of affordable housing law by Lauderdale commission.

Developers cheer rejection of affordable housing law by Lauderdale commission.
By Brittany Wallman South Florida Sun-Sentinel Posted June 7 2006


FORT LAUDERDALE -- People looking for an affordable place to rent or buy won't be getting help from the city of Fort Lauderdale anytime soon.A majority of city commissioners killed a proposed law Tuesday that would have required developers to sell or rent 10 to 15 percent of their homes or condos at affordable prices, or to pay into a housing trust fund. The money would have been used to expand housing subsidies to the middle class, offering down payment assistance or low-interest loans.Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom and Vice Mayor Christine Teel said the law needs a lot more work; Mayor Jim Naugle, who has called it akin to communism, said it is not necessary.The three said they would be willing to discuss a new version of the law, but not until October."The more we learn, the more questions it generates," said Vice Mayor Christine Teel."We are doing something," said Rodstrom. "We just want to make sure when it hits the street, it's perfect."The city will not allow any more residential projects downtown until an affordable housing law is passed, City Manager George Gretsas said.Otherwise, the vote was good news for the development industry, which was opposed to the measure.Developers and the building industry said if they're going to be forced to reduce rents and home prices, they should at least get some benefits to help make up for the extra costs. Benefits would include faster permitting and the ability to build more homes on their land.Resident Betty Horvath said the city is allowing affordable homes to be destroyed and replaced with townhouses that are ruining neighborhoods."I do not want to subsidize any home for any person," she told commissioners.But many people have clamored for help in today's high-priced housing market, particularly in recent weeks since Naugle said people just needed to work longer hours or settle for a condo.Jim Carras, head of the nonprofit Broward Housing Partnership, said the commission punted an issue that needs immediate attention. "I'm disappointed the city is not dealing with it as a workforce housing crisis," Carras said.Doug Coolman spoke on the business community's behalf, urging commissioners to pass a law, even if it's not the ultimate solution to a broad problem."You need to do something. We have to go out and subsidize employees' housing," he said.Commissioners Carlton Moore and Cindi Hutchinson wanted to move forward more quickly."I really thought we were going to be leaders in this," said Moore.And for Naugle, even October was too soon."Let's bring it back in January," he said, "and see what the marketplace is doing."