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Item G2County off Monroe ELj »moo � i G�, � BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS /� ri � �� Mayor George Neugent, District 2 The Florida. Ke Sew', y i Mayor Pro Tern David Rice, District 4 ; -== :'„ j y Danny L. Kolhage, District I Heather Carruthers, District 3 Sylvia J. Murphy, District 5 County Commission Meeting July 19, 2017 Agenda Item Number: G2 Agenda Item Summary #3179 BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Land Authority Governing Board TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Charles Pattison (305) 295-5180 9:15 AM Land Authority AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of a resolution authorizing the disbursement of funds to the City of Key West for the construction of affordable housing at 1116 Truman Avenue in Key West. ITEM BACKGROUND: The subject property is a 3-unit building on a 3,788 square foot lot that has been unoccupied for 10 years and was recently acquired by Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys. Habitat proposes to redevelop the site into 3 units of affordable workforce housing for households earning 60% to 80% of area median income. Habitat has not yet determined whether the units will be rental or homeownership. The Land Authority's statute was recently amended by the Legislature to allow the use of Land Authority funds for the construction, redevelopment, or preservation of affordable housing in Key West. The Key West City Commission has adopted Resolution 16-347 nominating this property for $400,000 of Land Authority funding and also Resolution 17-162 establishing the City's procedures for administering the funds. The proposed Land Authority resolution authorizes disbursement of $400,000 to the City of Key West once a perpetual declaration of restrictive covenants has been recorded in favor of the Land Authority and either the City of Key West or the Housing Authority of the City of Key West restricting use of the property to affordable workforce housing. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACTION: On June 28, 2017 the Committee voted 4/0 to recommend approval of this resolution. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: N/A CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: N/A STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval DOCUMENTATION: MCLA Resolution 1116TrumanAveDocumentation FINANCIAL IMPACT: Effective Date: Expiration Date: Total Dollar Value of Contract: Total Cost to County: Current Year Portion: Budgeted: Source of Funds: CPI: Indirect Costs: Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts: Revenue Producing: Grant: County Match: Insurance Required: Additional Details: If yes, amount: REVIEWED BY: Charles Pattison Completed 07/03/2017 1:34 PM Kathy Peters Completed 07/03/2017 1:54 PM Board of County Commissioners Pending 07/19/2017 9:00 AM RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS TO THE CITY OF KEY WEST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT 1116 TRUMAN AVENUE IN KEY WEST. WHEREAS, section 380.0666(3), Florida Statues, empowers the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Land Authority (hereinafter "Land Authority") to contribute tourist impact tax revenue to the City of Key West for the construction, redevelopment, or preservation of affordable housing in Key West; and WHEREAS, on November 15, 2016, the Key West City Commission adopted Resolution 16-347 nominating 1116 Truman Avenue in Key West (more particularly described in Exhibit A and hereinafter "subject property") for $400,000 of Land Authority funding toward the construction of three units of affordable housing to provide workforce housing in the income range of 60% to 80% of area median income; and WHEREAS, on June 6, 2017, the Key West City Commission adopted Resolution 17-162 designating certain administrative procedures the City will follow with respect to the subject funds; and WHEREAS, the Land Authority Advisory Committee considered this resolution at a meeting held on June 28, 2017 and voted 4/0 to recommend approval; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND AUTHORITY: Section 1. The Land Authority agrees to disburse $400,000 to the City of Key West toward the construction of three affordable housing units at 1116 Truman Avenue subject to the following conditions: A. The disbursement shall not occur until a perpetual declaration of restrictive covenants approved by the Land Authority's legal counsel has been recorded restricting the use of the subject property to affordable housing of the type defined as affordable workforce housing for households with incomes ranging from 60% to 80% of area median income pursuant to the Key West Work Force Housing Ordinance. B. Said declaration of restrictive covenants shall run in favor of the Land Authority and either the City of Key West or the Housing Authority of the City of Key West. C. Said declaration of restrictive covenants shall require that the subject property be included in the City of Key West's inventory of affordable housing and monitored for compliance by either the City of Key West or the Housing Authority of the City of Key West. D. In the event of an involuntary transfer of ownership of the subject property and if requested by the lender, the restrictive covenant shall be modified to allow housing for Page 1 of 2 households with income ranging up to 120% of area median income pursuant to the Key West Workforce Housing Ordinance. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan Land Authority at a regular meeting on this day of 12017. (Seal) ATTEST: Charles G. Pattison Executive Director Approved as to form and legality: Adele V. Stones, Esquire Commissioner Heather Carruthers _ Commissioner Danny Kolhage Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Mayor George Neugent Chairman David Rice MONROE COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND AUTHORITY David P. Rice Chairman Page 2 of 2 EXHIBIT A THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND IN TRACT THIRTEEN (13) OF THE CITY OF KEY WEST ACCORDING TO THE MAP OF SAID CITY DELINEATED BY WHITEHEAD IN 1829, BUT NOW BETTER KNOWN AS PORTION OF LOTS THREE (3) AND FOUR (4) ACCORDING TO A DIVISION OF SAID TRACT BY W.A. GWYNN, CO. SURVEYOR. COMMENCING THIRTY-SIX (36) FEET, EIGHT (8) INCHES FROM THE CORNER OF DIVISION AND VARELA STREETS, AND RUNS ALONG SAID DIVISION STREET N.E'LY THIRTY-SIX (36) FEET, EIGHT (8) INCHES; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES S.E'LY ONE HUNDRED AND THREE (103) FEET, FOUR (4) INCHES, THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES S.W'LY THIRTY-SIX (36) FEET, EIGHT (8) INCHES; THENCE AT RIGHT ANGLES N.W'L.Y ONE HUNDRED AND THREE (103) FEET, FOUR (4) INCHES TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING. jo;u9w9sangsip 6uppoy;ne uognlosej a jo lenoaddV : 6Lb£) uoge;uewnooaGAVuewnalq� :;u8wt43e;;V RESOLUTION No. 17-162 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KEY WEST, FLORIDA; DESIGNATING A PROCESS TO DISBURSE FUND ALLOCATIONS NOMINATED TO THE MNROE COUlMy LAND AUTHORITY ("LAND AUTHORITY") IN RESOLUTION 16-347 FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS BY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KEY WEST AND THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS, INC. ("HABITAT"); REQUIRING HABITAT TO USE PROCOREMMrr PROCEDURES IN CONFORMANCE WITH CITY PURCHASING CODE FOR THE PROJECTS AT 1116 TRUMAN AVENUE AND 209 OLIVIA STREET; STATING THAT CITY WILL DISBURSE FUNDS UPON RECEIPT OF FINAL INSPECTIONS AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, IF NECESSARY; REQUIRING A RELEASE UPON RECEIPT OF FUNDS; RATIFYING THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS NOMINATED IN RESOLUTION 16-347 BY LAND AUTHORITY TO THE MORTGAGE HOLDER FOR 716 EISENHOWER DRIVE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, the Monroe County Land Authority holds funds on behalf of the City of Key West that may be dedicated to the acquisition of an interest in real property and contributed to the City of Key West or Key West Housing Authority towards construction, redevelopment or preservation of affordable housing; and WHEREAS, in Resolution 16-347, 'the City Commission nominated three affordable housing projects by Habitat, to the Land Authority funding in a total amount of $860,000.00; and Page 1 of 5 jo;u9w9sangsip 6uiziaoy;ne uopnlosea a jo lenoaddV : 6M:) uoi;e;u9wnooaGAVuewna19M :;uGwt43e;;V WHEREAS, these projects by Habitat, located at 1116 Truman Avenue and 209 Olivia Street, represent the first proposed use of Land Authority funds for the construction and repair of affordable housing units by a non-profit organization on behalf of the City, so it is necessary to institute a process for receiving and distributing the requested funds; and WHEREAS, of the funds nominated to the Land Authority in Resolution 16-347, $400,000.00 has been approved for disbursement directly to the mortgage holder for 716 Eisenhower Drive, to retire the acquisition debt on twelve deed -restricted workforce housing rental units owned by Habitat; and WHEREAS, for the remaining projects nominated in Resolution 16-347, and approved by the Land Authority in the amount of $460,000.00, the Land Authority shall disburse funds to the City of Key West, and in turn the City shall use those funds to reimburse Habitat, as they construct or preserve a total of four affordable (60 to 80t AMI) housing units at 1116 Truman Avenue and 209 Olivia Street in Key West; and WHEREAS, Habitat will request funding from the City of Key West on a reimbursement basis upon completion of the construction, receipt of final inspections, and if required, the issuance of certificates of occupancy. To ensure that funds are utilized effectively and in a transparent and accountable manner, Habitat Page 2 of 5 jo;uauaasangsip 6uiziaoy;ne uognlosea a jo lenoaddV : 6Lbd uoge;uewnooaGAVuewnalq� :;uauayoe;;V will model its procurement procedures and bidding process on those utilized by the City of Key West; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KEY WEST, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: That a process for disbursing the funds nominated in Resolution 16-347 is necessary to conform with regulations governing the use of Land Authority funds. Section 2: That funds allocated for the projects at 1116 Truman Avenue (three workforce housing units at 60-80W AMI) in the amount of $400,000.00, and 209 Olivia Street (critical home repairs) for $60,000.00, will be paid by the Land Authority to the City of Key West, for use specifically to reimburse Habitat for completed components of the projects. Section 3: That Habitat is required to use procurement and bidding procedures for the two projects which substantially conform with the City of Key West purchasing ordinance(s). Page 3 of 5 jo;u9w9sangsip 6uiziaoy;ne uoi;njosej a jo lenoaddV : 6M:) uoi;e;u9wnooaGAVuewnal9M :;uGwt43e;;V Section 4: That Habitat will ensure that the allocated funds are used for clearly described components of each work project (i.e. roofing, HVAC systems, rough plumbing, fire sprinkler system, etc.). Section 5: That the City will disburse funds to Habitat upon completion of the construction, receipt of final inspections and, if required, the issuance of certificates of occupancy. Section 6: That Habitat will provide a release to the City of Key West upon receipt of the funds. Section 7: That the Land Authority's disbursement of $400,000.00, which was authorized in Resolution 16-347, to the mortgage holder of the property located 716 Eisenhower Drive on behalf of Habitat, is hereby ratified. Section 8: That this Resolution shall go into effect immediately upon its passage and adoption and authentication by the signature of the presiding officer and the Clerk of the commission. Page 4 of 5 jo;u9w9sangsip 6uquoy;ne uognjosej a jo lenoaddV : 6Lbd uoge;uewnooaGAVuewnalq� :;uauayoe;;V Passed and adopted by the City Commission at a meeting held this 6th day of June , 2017. Authenticated by the Presiding Officer and Clerk of the Commission on 7th day of June 2017. Filed with the Clerk on June? 2017. Mayor Craig Cates Yes Commissioner Sam Kaufman Yes. Commissioner Clayton Lopez Yes Commissioner Richard Payne Yes Commissioner Margaret Romero Yes Commissioner Billy Wardlow Absent Commissioner Jimmy Weekley Yes Z �1/ CRAIG CA OR ATT T- CHERYL SMITH, CIW CLERK Page 5 of 5 RESOLUTION No. 16-347 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KEY WEST, FLORIDA, NOMINATING THREE PROJECTS LOCATED AT 716 EISENHOWER DRIVE, 1116 TRUMAN AVENUE AND 209 OLIVIA STREET, BY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KEY WEST AND THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS, INC., TO THE MONROE COUNTY LAND AUTHORITY FOR FUNDING IN THE- AMOUNT OF $860,000.00 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING AND BUILDING WORKFORCE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHERE -AS, the City Commission has determined that there exists a criti I eel shortage of workforce and affordable I housing available in the it of Key West; and WHEREAS, Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys is a non-profit organization seeking funding from the Land Authority for three workforce housing Projects in the 2016- 17 fiscal year, to construct or preserve up to 26 affordable housing units in Key West and the Lower Keys; and WHEREAS, the City Commiss, -ion 'supports the expenditure of $400,000.00 for construction of three workforce housing units (60 to 80% AMI) I at 1116 Truman Avenue, the expenditure of up to $400, 000. 00 to retire the acquisition loan Habitat holds with in State Bank for property on which 12 deed -restricted workforce housing rental units exist at 716 Eisenhower Drive, and the expenditure of up to $60,000.00 for critical home repairs to Property locate d-at-2.09 Olivia Street, currently occupied -by low- income senior citizens; -WHEREAS, the use of Land Authority funds to retire the acquisition debt at 716 Eisenhower Drive, would in turn allow Habitat to use that property as collateral for a construction loan needed to build 10 new permanently affordable workforce homes on Big Cop Pitt'Key; and WHEREAS, the Monroe County Land Authority holds funds on behalf of the City of Key West that may be dedicated to the purchase of land and construction costs for the purpose of providing workforce housing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF KEY WEST, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1: That three projects by Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Keys, Inc. -- located at 1116 Truman Avenue ($400,000.00), 716 Eisenhower Drive ($400,000-00) and 209 Olivia Street ($60,000.00) -- are hereby nominated to the Monroe County Land Authority for funding in the total amount.of $860,000.00 for the purpose of providing and protecting workforce housing. Section 2-: That this Resolution shall go into effect immediately upon its passage and adoption and authentication by -the. aignature of the presiding officer and the Clerk of the Commission. Passed and adopted by the City . 'Commission at a meeting held this 15th day of November 2016. Authenticated by the Presiding Officer and Clerk of the Commission on 16th _day of November , 2016. Filed with the Clerk on 'November 16 2016. Mayor Craig Cates Yes Commissioner Sam Kaufman Yes Commissioner Clayton Lopez Yes Commissioner Richard Payne Yes Commissioner Margaret Romero No Commissioner Billy Wardlow Yes Commissioner Jimmy Beckley Yes ZA Ci5i G C TES MAYOR C Y "4SMITHITY C-LERK MERL I- 0 U) 0 0 4- 4- 0 (D E 0 0 4- 0 0 L- CL cr) • ' • Habitat for Humanity Request for Project Nominations - Monroe County Land Authority 2016-2017 r i N*' -� am* i Nominating a KeyWest Propertyfor Land Authority funding in 2016-17 Proposed: Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys, Inc. is a proven provider of affordable workforce housing in Key West and the Lower Keys that seeks funding for a workforce housing projects from the Land Authority in their 2016-17 fiscal year. The City Commission of Key West recommends to the Land Authority and its advisory committee the expenditure of the requested funds for 1116 Truman Avenue. The City Commission supports the expenditure of $400,000 for the construction expenses at 1116 Truman Avenue to create three workforce units that will be deed restricted as affordable for residents in and between the 60 to 80% AMI demographics. This funding will be leveraged by Habitat with other sources to complete the acquisition and renovation. The Land Authority funds will be protected by the deed restrictions Habitat will place on the three units. Page 12 1116 Truman Avenue: The request for this nomination is for $400,000. The funds will be used for the construction expenses of rebuilding this three unit property which has been vacant for 10 years and is a blighted mess. Habitat was able to acquire it from Deutsche Bank for $330,000 with $67,000 of our own funds securing temporary financing. The property appraised for $500,000 and has great potential to provide accessible (walkable) units that working people can afford to live in while being centrally located. The unit mix will be diverse, accommodating families and single individuals. The units will be built to be fire resistant, historically contributing and energy efficient. We do not have the capital to acquire and renovate this property on our own. This is a good opportunity to create permanently affordable housing with decent sized units, perhaps with a range of affordability, which may be rental or ownership, depending upon the available subsidies. Habitat would agree to deed restrict the residential use of the property to the 80%AMI (low income) level. However, our goal would be seek a mix of subsidies, unit density and type to provide some units in the very low AMI demographic. The property must carry its insurance and tax costs and so a market rate or commercial unit may be necessary, depending upon other subsidies' availability. Our plan would be to build to code for ownership with fire separation walls and other features. We will consult with the Planning Department for the HARC, density, setbacks and potential commercial use discussions. The goal is to build a green, energy efficient, historically compatible and wind code standard structure that is low cost to own, operate and to insure. We have been approved for a predevelopment loan at zero per cent with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Summary: Habitat seeks the nomination of three properties to the Land Authority for its consideration in the 2016-17 budget for a total of: • $400,000 to acquire and renovate a three unit structure at 1116 Truman Avenue, • Total proposed ask is $400,000. Thank you for considering these affordable housing projects. Mark Moss Executive Director Page 13 tIR Habitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower Florida Keys has been a provider of work force housing for Key West for many years. We provide 24 rental units and have sold 18 townhomes in order to keep working families in the city Currently we're providing affordable housing for 129 people in the Key West area. These people are teachers, medical professionals, city employees, law enforcement and service industry workers. They are the people who make up our diverse and vibrant community. We are seeking your approval to spend $400,000 of Land Authority funds to create truly affordable and permanently deed restricted housing in Key West To recap, we are requesting your nomination to the Land Authority for: Financial assistance of $400,000 to renovate 1116 Truman Avenue, a three unit vacant structure to provide housing to those falling in the low ($48,000) and very low ($34,000) income range (60 to 80% AMI) This request is modest when measured by its cost per unit or per person served. The workforce affordable units provided are truly affordable, meant to help working citizens of modest or low income means. The units this funding creates will be permanently affordable, protected by deeds or a promissory note. As requested by city commissioners we are providing a more detailed inventory on our properties and clients. The city and county has been working tirelessly to make a dent in the affordable housing issue. We have been serving the city and county's needs by providing housing to our vulnerable population and are asking for your support to continue to do so. Since this is the first proposed use of Land Authority funds for construction purposes, the November Resolution by the City of Key West Commission nominating this project was revisited in June 2017 to incorporate language in compliance with the statutory language specific to the use of Land Authority funds for construction of affordable housing. Key West Habitat provides 12 affordable rental units in Key West through a partnership with the Housing Authority. These units are deed restricted to 120% of AMI although Habitat has restricted the rentals to singles and families at or below 80% AMI. We have made a substantial contribution to the property's rehabilitation acquiring $400k in debt. An inventory of units is below: Eisenhower Unit Bedrooms Rent Employer(s) Adults Children 712Eisenhower Efficiency $550 The Citizen 2 0 716 Eisenhower 101 Efficiency $750 Massage Therapist 1 0 709 Pearl 201 Efficiency $750 Teacher 2 1 703 Pearl Efficiency $900 Key West Wildlife Center 1 0 705 Pearl 1 Bedroom $900 Charter Captain & Waitstaff 2 0 716 Eisenhower 104 1 Bedroom $1,000 Key West High Teacher 1 1 716 Eisenhower 102 1 Bedroom $1,100 Casa Marina 1 0 716 Eisenhower 103 1 Bedroom $1,100 Blue Marlin Hotel 1 0 716 Eisenhower 105 1 Bedroom $1,200 Local Musician 1 0 709 Pearl 101 1 Bedroom $1,200 Massage Therapist 1 0 707 Pearl 2 Bedroom $1,400 Salon Owners 2 2 714 Eisenhower 2 Bedroom $1,400 Sheriffs Department & Zale's 2 1 17 5 Total people served: 22 As you can see by the deed restriction guidelines enacted bythe city of Key West, our units fall well underthe maximum levels allowed. City of Key West 2016 Work Force Housing Rental Limits Unit Size Low 80% Median 100% Moderate 120% Middle 140% Efficiency $1,203 $1, 505 $1,806 $2,107 1 Bedroom $1,375 $1,720 $2,064 $2,408 2 Bedroom $1,546 $1,935 $2,322 $2,709 A recent inventory provided by Roe Minor Realty Consultants, Inc., of comparable deed restricted properties shows that other than the property at Samaritan Lane, Habitat was the only provider of work force rentals identified in the area meeting the guidelines for 80% AMI residents. Comparable Apartment Rentals Average Rent 500 Truman Ave Efficiencies $1,400 508 Southard Street 1 Bedroom $1,400-$1,575 508 Southard Street 2 Bedroom $1,665 717Samaritan Lane 2 Bedroom $1,515-$1,600 604 Greene Street 2 Bedroom $1,450 124 Simonton Street 2 Bedroom $1,650-$1,700 Peary Court 2 Bedroom $2,358-$2,751 labitat for Humanity of Key West and the Lower FL Keys provides 12 rental units on Stock Island providing affordable housing for 36 people. These are all 2 bedrooms rented to residents falling at or below 80% of AM at a rate of $1,200 Our current liabilities arejust over $800k. An inventory of units is below: latitude 24 Unit Bedrooms Rent Employer(s) Adults Children 1 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Dion's 2 0 2 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Lower Keys Medical Center 1 4 3 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Music Store Owners 2 2 4 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Wesley House 2 0 5 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Lower Keys Plumbing 1 1 6 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Sheraton & Caroline's 2 1 7 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Waste Management 2 2 8 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Hyatt & A&B Lobster House 2 1 9 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Fishbusterz, LKMC, State Trooper 4 0 10 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Disabled 2 0 11 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Outback Steakhouse 1 2 12 2 Bedrooms $1,200 Chevron & Disabled 2 0 23 13 Total people served: 36 Monroe County 2016 Maximum Monthly Rental Rates Unit Size Very Low 50% Low 80% Median 100% Moderate 120% 2 Bedrooms $968 $1,546 $1,935 $2,322 Although Habitat is not requesting funding related to the Stock Island property we feel it is important housing for Key West's work force and would like the commissioners to be aware. Big Coppitt Habitat for Humanity built and sold at affordable mortgage rates 18townhomes on Big Coppitt. These homeowners 1 ave never owned a home, primarily resided in the Key West area for many years and fell below �a 80% ofAMI. They received extensive homeowner training in order to support their successful transition from E renting to owning their own property. In order to complete the Bayside Landing project Habitat sold many of 0 the 0% interest mortgages to First State Bank. This restricted cash flow and income needed to complete additional projects. The majority of the homeowners work in the city of Key West. F Bayside Landing Homeowners Unit Bedrooms Adults Children Employer(s) 1 3 3 1 Lower Keys Medical Center 2 3 2 2 FriendlyCaband Island Plant Products E 3 3 1 2 Sugarloaf School 4 2 1 1 Wells Fargo Bank 5 2 2 2 City of Key West 6 3 2 2 LKMC/DePoo Hospital, LowerKeys Medical Center 7 2 1 1 First State Bank Packet Pg. 1630 13 2 2 0 Urgent Care Clinic, Murray Marine 16 3 2 Unity of the Keys Church 17 3 1 2 1 2 Accountant/Key West Hoh Coach and Artist Total people served 58 In addition to tangible financial benefits, research has shown that homeownership offers substantial social benefits for families, communities and the country. Some of the benefits include: Increase in charitable activity Civic participation in local and national issues Greater attachment to neighbors Lmwerteen pregnancy Higher rate nfhigh school graduation General increase in positive outlook tnlive Better physical and psychological health Less likely tnbecome victims nfcrime Helping families climb out nfpoverty builds healthier, stronger communities and cuts down on health cane, policing and many other costs paid for byour taxes. Habitat families own their own home and nnlonger rely on rental assistance from the cnunty, they contribute property taxes each year and turn a substantial taxpayer burden into apositive community impact.