Housing and Neighborhood Development

Housing and Neighborhood Development (HND) works to improve Polk County’s communities and help its most fragile residents. It does this by prioritizing federal and state grant funds across a range of policy areas including affordable housing development and preservation, homelessness and homeownership. HND develops activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods and partners with nonprofit organizations to improve communities for low and moderate-income residents. These policy areas are fundamental to HND to create strong, sustainable communities and quality affordable homeownership and multifamily housing.

The Polk County Building Division expedites Affordable Housing Building Permits. Call (863) 534-6080 for information on the expedited permitting process.

Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development no longer administers Section 8 housing. Please refer to a local housing authority.

• Housing Authority of Bartow
• City of Lakeland Housing Authority
• Lake Wales Housing Authority
• Winter Haven Housing Authority

Governing Statutes and Regulations

Section 3 of the United States Housing and Urban Development HUD Act of 1968, (12U.S.C. 1701u) (Section 3) and implementing regulations at 24 CFP Part 135 states the purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by certain Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financial assistance shall, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with the existing Federal, State and Local laws and regulations, be directed to low and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing and to the businesses which provide economic opportunities to these persons.

Annual Action Plan

Housing and Neighborhood Development Office’s 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for Public Review and Comment for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the HOME Grant and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Planned projects and Activities.

2024-25 Annual Action Plan

A 30-day review and comment period is currently being held to look over the projects and activities outlined in the Action Plan to begin Oct. 1, 2024, and end Sept. 30, 2025. If you need additional information, please contact (863) 534-5240.

Annual Polk Affordable Housing Incentives Implementation Report 2022

Annual Action Plan Amendment No. 1_2022-2023

Resolution – Fiscal Action Plan

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

This grant program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Each CDBG-funded project must meet one of three national objectives:

• Benefit low and moderate income persons
• Prevent or eliminate slum and blights
• Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency

The Community Development Block Grant also funds the county’s demolition program, which is designed to eliminate slum and blight in unincorporated areas of Polk.

Polk County is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare an Annual Action Plan to govern the use of Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. These funds must primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons and meet the following objectives: 1) Providing Affordable Housing that is both safe and decent, through construction/rehabilitation of owner-occupied units, rental assistance and preserving the housing stock. 2) Creating and maintaining a Suitable Living Environment, by providing needed infrastructure improvements, providing access to public facilities and public services, and reducing blighting conditions. 3) Expanding Economic Opportunities by supporting public services that help provide skills training, other tools needed to achieve self-sufficiency and promoting employment opportunities for low-income persons affected by activities and programs outlined in the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan.

Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)

ESG grants assist nonprofit organizations to provide emergency shelter and associated support services to homeless individuals and families.

Home Investment Partnership (HOME)

HOME grant funds are used to build, buy and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent, homeownership or to provide rent assistance to low-income individuals.

2023 - 2024 CAPER Report Review

A Public Review and Comment of the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) will be held during the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting Wednesday, Dec.18, 2023, at 3 p.m. in Room 413, County Administration Building, 330 W. Church Street, Bartow, Fla. This meeting is scheduled to receive comments on Polk County’s Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER). This report will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) on or before December 30, 2024. The CAPER report provides annual information on program accomplishments in meeting performance measures for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program.

A link to the Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, CAPER is now available below, and a printed copy is also available for examination and comment by the public at the Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development Office, 1290 Golfview Ave., Bartow, FL 33831 during office hours 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

CAPER 2023-2024 Draft

State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program

State Housing Initiative funds are used to preserve affordable housing for very low to moderate income families. These funds are given to local governments and are based on a population-based formula.

• Polk 2023-2026 LHAP
• Polk County SHIP Annual Report
• SHIP Implementation Report

Fair Housing in Polk County

For information or to file a Fair Housing complaint, contact the Housing Development Specialist at (863) 534-5240 or HNDRequests@polk-county.net.

Community Housing Development Organization

Federal HOME funds have a component called the Community Housing Development Organization, also known as the CHDO. At least 15% of HOME funds must be set aside for specific activities to be undertaken by a special type of nonprofit called a Community Housing Development Organization.

Community Housing Development Organization - CHDO Set-Aside Requirement

• A CHDO is a private, nonprofit, community-based service organization that has obtained, or intends to obtain, staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves.
• PJs must set aside a minimum of 15% of their HOME allocations for housing development activities in which qualified CHDOs are the owners, developers and/or sponsors of the housing. PJs must have a reasonable expectation of specific projects going forward.

CHDO Qualifying Criteria

A CHDO is a specific type of private nonprofit entity. CHDOs must meet certain requirements pertaining to its:

• Legal status
• Organizational structure, and
• Capacity and experience

For more information about applying to be a Polk County CHDO, contact the Housing Compliance Program Manager for the Polk County Housing and Neighborhood Development office at (863) 534-5240.