Identifying Suitable Locations for The Development and Preservation of Affordable Housing in Florida

The challenge of affordable housing in Florida necessitates innovative solutions that consider both the development of new units and the preservation of existing ones. The Housing Suitability Model (HSM), developed by the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, provides a comprehensive framework for identifying suitable locations for affordable housing based on various factors, including accessibility, economic opportunity, and physical characteristics of the land.

Overview of the Housing Suitability Model (HSM)

The HSM is a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based tool designed to assess potential sites for affordable housing development and preservation. It evaluates locations based on multiple criteria, including:

• Transportation Accessibility: Proximity to public transit and essential services such as schools, medical facilities, and grocery stores.
• Economic Opportunity: Access to job centers and educational institutions, measured through indices such as HUD’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) metrics.
• Physical Characteristics: Land use patterns, zoning regulations, and environmental factors that may affect housing development.

The model aims to balance these factors to identify areas where affordable housing can thrive while supporting residents’ needs for transportation and access to services.

Methodology

The HSM employs a multi-layered approach to analyze parcel-level data across various Florida counties. Key components include:

1. Accessibility Scores: The model calculates scores based on the availability of essential services and job proximity from each parcel. This includes evaluating walking distances and transit routes to determine how easily residents can reach necessary amenities.
2. Opportunity Indices: Using HUD’s AFFH data, the model incorporates measures of neighborhood poverty levels, school proficiency rates, and labor market engagement. These indices help identify areas that offer better opportunities for residents.
3. Integration with Local Planning: The HSM has been utilized in local planning initiatives across Florida, including HUD Sustainable Communities regional planning efforts. It helps local governments make informed decisions about where to focus affordable housing investments.

Application of the HSM in Florida

The HSM has been instrumental in assessing locations for affordable housing across 16 Florida counties. For instance:

• Central City Locations: Areas with high transit accessibility often score lower on socioeconomic characteristics, indicating a need for targeted investments that enhance community resources while maintaining affordability.
• Suburban Areas: Conversely, newer developments funded through programs like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) tend to perform better in socioeconomic measures but may lack adequate transportation access.

These insights guide policymakers in identifying not only where new affordable units should be built but also how existing units can be preserved effectively.

Strategies for Development and Preservation

To maximize the effectiveness of the HSM findings, several strategies can be implemented:

1. Targeted Investments: Focus on areas identified by the HSM as having high potential for affordable housing development while ensuring access to jobs and services.
2. Preservation Initiatives: Use data from the HSM to prioritize preservation efforts in neighborhoods that are at risk of gentrification or where existing affordable units are threatened.
3. Policy Alignment: Align local policies with HSM findings to create incentives for developers who build or preserve affordable housing in identified high-opportunity areas.
4. Community Engagement: Involve local communities in decision-making processes to ensure that developments meet their needs and foster long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

The Housing Suitability Model serves as a vital tool for identifying suitable locations for the development and preservation of affordable housing in Florida. By integrating transportation accessibility, economic opportunity, and physical characteristics into its analysis, the HSM enables policymakers to make informed decisions that enhance community well-being. As Florida continues to grapple with its affordable housing crisis, leveraging tools like the HSM will be crucial in creating sustainable solutions that benefit all residents.

Further reading:
[PDF] The Housing Suitability Model: Measuring Accessibility and … shimberg.ufl
Live Local Act – Florida Housing Finance Corporation floridahousing

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