HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem M3 COUNTY of MONROE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
� Mayor Michelle Lincoln,District 2
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern David Rice,District 4
y Craig Cates,District 1
James K. Scholl,District 3
� «
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Regular Meeting
January 28, 2026
Agenda Item Number: M3
26-0310
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: District 5
TIME APPROXIMATE: n/a STAFF CONTACT:
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: COMMISSIONER MERRILL RASCHEIN: Discussion of the rental
rates for Southcliff Estates multi-family affordable tourism employee housing.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Monroe County purchased the Southcliff Estates multi-family development
at 95295 Overseas Highway
in Key Largo as part of the newly formed Affordable Tourism Housing Program, utilizing a portion of
the $35 million from Tourism Development Council (TDC) surplus funding. The purpose of the
acquisition was to provide affordable housing opportunities to the workforce of the tourism industry.
The State of Florida established this program with the passage of Chapter 2024-219, Laws of Florida
(SB 1456), which was signed by the governor and became effective on July 1, 2024. It allows the
county to utilize up to $35 million of accumulated surplus funds from tourist development taxes and
tourist impact taxes collected through September 30, 2024, for purposes of providing affordable
housing, as defined in F.S. 420.0004, for employees of private sector tourism-related businesses in the
county.
According to F.S. 420.0004, "affordable housing" includes housing with maximum income limits and
corresponding rental rates at 120% of area median income. What this means is the county may charge
up to $3,126 per month for households earning up to $125,040 for single unrelated roommates or
$166,720 for married or domestic partners.
Community members have indicated they believe the rental rates are too high and not affordable. This
item is to discuss and take input on what is legally possible at this new project.
County staff are working with the Housing Authority to lease the project to them so they can manage
and rent the units.
Since August, county staff have advertised the units locally, placed a banner on the site promoting the
rentals, and listed the rentals on Zillow and the web.
The following table demonstrates the interest to date. However, no units have been leased.
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Working with the Housing Authority, staff are now recommending we set a monthly rate. The
Housing Authority has prepared pro-formas which will be presented at the BOCC meeting for
consideration, taking into account
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: On December 11, 2024, the BOCC adopted Resolution
No. 544-2024, establishing the Monroe County
Affordable Tourism Housing Program and setting forth the program qualifications, restrictions, and
conditions for funding affordable housing projects utilizing the accumulated surplus Tourist
Development Tax and Tourist Impact Tax revenues.
On June 18, 2025, the BOCC approved expenditure of TDC surplus funds for the purchase of the
Southcliff Estates housing units as part of the Monroe County Affordable Tourism Housing Program
On August 20, 2025, the BOCC set rental rates at 30% of household Income.
INSURANCE REQUIRED: No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
DOCUMENTATION:
FINANCIAL IMPACT: