Purpose:
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee was created by Ordinance to review the established policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations and adopted local comprehensive plan of the County, and to recommend specific initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value.
AUTHORITY:
Section 5.4-37 of the Highlands County Code of Ordinances.
Ord. No. 93-11, § 7; Ord. No. 99-14, §§ 11, 12; Ord. No. 07-08-18, §§ 4, 5; Ord. No. 09-10-02, § Ord. No. 21-22-08
Membership:
Appointed by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee shall consist of at least 8 and not more than 11 members. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The committee may not take formal actions unless a quorum is present, but may meet to hear presentations if duly noticed.
The affordable housing advisory committee shall include at least one local elected county official and the remaining members shall be representatives from the following categories, with only one member filling a category.
Terms:
According to Ordinance 21-22-08, members shall serve for two-year terms and may be reappointed for subsequent terms. Half of the member seats (1-5) are being reappointed for one year and the other half of seats (6-11) being reappointed for two years.
Contact / Staff Liaison:
Kim Wean
- Seat 1: VACANT
- One citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing
- Seat 2: Bill Stephenson, advocate for low income persons/Samaritan's Touch Care Center
- Term Expires: Jan. 6, 2027
- One citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low income persons in connection with affordable housing
- Seat 3: VACANT
- One citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing
- Seat 4: VACANT
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing
- Seat 5: Matt Griffin, labor related to home building/Air and Electrical Services
- Term Expires: Jan. 6, 2027
- One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing
- Seat 6: Donna Doubleday, employer representative/Careersource Heartland Highlands Career Center
- Term Expires: Jan. 6, 2028
- One citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction of Highlands County
- Seat 7: Brittany McGuire, resident/Parkview Pre-K and Prep Academy
- Term Expires: Jan. 6, 2028
- One citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of Highlands County
- Seat 8: Stefanie von Paleski-Bush, local planning agency representative/Central Florida Regional Planning Council
- Term Expires: Jan. 6, 2028
- One citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to U.S. § 163.3174
- Seat 9: VACANT
- One citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the Highlands County Housing Assistance Program
- Teachers and educators, other school district, community college, and university employees, police and fire personnel, health care personnel, and skilled building trade personnel
- Seat 10: VACANT
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing
- Seat 11: Tod Schwingel, non-profit housing provider/Highlands County Housing Authority
- Term Expires: Jan. 6, 2028
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing
- June 17, 2026 **CANCELED**
- July 15, 2026
- August 19, 2026
- September 16, 2026
- October 21, 2026
- November 18, 2026
- December 16, 2026