Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) was established per Section 420.9076, Florida Statutes, as required for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. The City of Pensacola and Escambia County jointly participate in the SHIP Program under an interlocal agreement. Under the SHIP Interlocal, the City solicits and appoints a representative from the City of Pensacola Planning Board and a citizen that resides within the jurisdiction. The remaining AHAC appointees are solicited by the County. 

The committee's mission is to review the established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and adopted comprehensive plan of the local governments and to recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value. The State requires the AHAC to undertake an annual review of affordable housing incentives and make recommendations to the Pensacola City Council and Escambia County Board of County Commissioners concerning monetary and non-monetary initiatives and incentives that will encourage and facilitate affordable housing.        

Recommendations may include the modification or repeal of existing policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions; the creation of exceptions applicable to affordable housing; or the adoption of new policies, procedures, regulations, ordinances, or plan provisions, including recommendations to amend the local government comprehensive plan and corresponding regulations, ordinances, and other policies.   

Current Members: https://www.cityofpensacola.com/3140/Affordable-Housing-Advisory-Committee#:~:text=The%20Affordable%20Housing%20Advisory%20Committee,420.907%2D9079%2C%20Florida%20Statutes 

Committee Agendas and Minutes:  https://pensacola.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  

Affordable Housing Incentives Strategies 

Expedited Permitting: To encourage the construction of affordable housing units, the city has established an expedited permitting review process for documented affordable housing projects. The applicant must submit the Affordable Housing Expedited Permitting Policy Form to the City of Pensacola Housing Department prior to submission of plans.

CRA TIF Rebate Incentive: Available for developments that provide a 10% minimum set aside of units for affordable housing. See here for additional program details and policies.

Residential Density Bonuses: Residential developments may qualify for density bonuses above the limits established by the future land use category in exchange for the development of affordable housing. Contact the City Planning & Zoning Division at 850-435-1670 for additional information.

Affordable Housing Impact Review: The AHAC provides, prior to adoption, an ongoing review of policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that increase the cost of housing.