County Earns Award of Excellence in Affordable Housing
At the Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Elected Officials Luncheon, Nassau County was presented with a Regional Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing from the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) for the creation of its new Tiny Home Development Program.
The Board of County Commissioners recognizes that affordable housing is a challenge. As such, they have been seeking options to create workforce housing which is defined as “housing affordable to households earning between 60 and 120 percent of area median income.” Workforce housing targets middle-income workers which includes professions such as police officers, teachers, firefighters, hospitality workers, health care workers, retail workers, and public sector employees. The income of many of the individuals in these professions exceeds the amount to be considered eligible to quality for government assisted affordable housing; however, their incomes are not high enough to purchase a home at today’s market rates.
In July 2023, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and a revision to the Land Development Code creating the Tiny Home Development Program which would allow existing mobile home parks, travel trailer parks, and RV parks to be redeveloped as affordable communities. The amendments will also create an incentive for developers to redevelop blighted areas while continuing to provide for long-term affordability which will help the County bridge the gap for those who need diversified housing.
The Tiny Home Development Program will provide for 800 square foot tiny homes on a permanent foundation constructed with long-lasting materials that maintain the distinct character and harmony of the surrounding community. The development will be designed in a cluster format with tiny homes centered around a shared/communal outdoor living area with public spaces such as lawns, gardens, patios, plazas, and areas for "free play". In addition to the shared/communal outdoor living areas, each tiny home community will have a centrally located principal shared/communal outdoor living area to serve the broader needs of the residents within the development. Each tiny home will have a minimum of one parking space and a covered outdoor living area in the form of a porch or patio.
NEFRC’s Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Payne stated, “NEFRC is pleased to recognize Nassau County’s creative attempt, through the Tiny Home Development Program, to solve a challenging issue faced across Northeast Florida, the State, and the country. A cornerstone of the NEFRC is sharing and celebrating best practices that other local governments may replicate. We look forward to following the program’s success.”
For additional information about the County’s Tiny Home Development Program, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320 or email planning@nassaucountyfl.com.