Charlotte County Housing Finance Authority
The Charlotte County Housing Finance Authority (HFA) was created by the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners through Ordinance No. 81-21 in February 1981.The HFA is a dependent Special District, subject to Florida Statutes Chapter 159 Part IV. The HFA’s five members are selected by the Board of County Commissioners to serve four-year terms.
The HFA was created for the purpose of alleviating a shortage of affordable housing for sale or rent to Charlotte County households. The HFA has the power to borrow funds or to issue tax exempt bonds for the construction, purchase, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of qualified housing as limited by applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as administered by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS annually defines “qualified households” as typically those earning less than 80% of the Area Median Income as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In 1986, the HFA participated in a “multi-County” bond issue organized by the Collier County HFA to make mortgages available to qualified single-family households. The HFA has also participated in similar “multi-County” bond programs issued by the Escambia and Pinellas County Housing Finance Authorities.
Since 1996, the HFA has participated in the Multi County Bond Program administered by the Lee County HFA. Qualified households can borrow funds from participating banks at below market interest rates, currently 4.5% per year, to purchase single family homes and/or condominiums. Down payment assistance is also available from the Lee County HFA in some situations.
The Charlotte HFA has also issued tax exempt bonds for the purpose of constructing new rental housing that is affordable to qualified households. The first such issue was for Murdock Circle Apartments, a 184-apartment complex located on Murdock Circle in Port Charlotte with two, three and four bedroom apartments available for rent at moderate prices. The complex was constructed in 2000 with the assistance of a $10,500,000 bond issued by the HFA. The bonds were repaid in 2011, but the apartments remain affordable for qualified households.
In 2010, the Charlotte HFA issued an $850,000 tax exempt bond that was used in the construction of Marian Manor. Thirty-one two-bedroom apartments were constructed on Lister Street in Port Charlotte.
The HFA continues to seek opportunities to finance housing for qualified households. Questions should be addressed to:
Charlotte County Housing Finance Authority
P.O. Box 512577
Punta Gorda, FL 33951
Tel (239) 691-8012 Fax (239) 995-1578
charlottehfa@aol.com
2012 Meeting Schedule
- Jan. 18, 2012 - rescheduled for February 15, 2012
- April 18, 2012 - cancelled
- July 18, 2012
- Sept. 19, 2012
All meetings are at 11 AM in the County Attorney’s Conference Room. Contact Jim Sweeney at (239)691-8012 for more information.
Documents
Members
- William D. Noel, Jr., Chairman
- Michael D. Coalwell, Sec./Treas.
- Bryan Kehoe
- James P. McClary
- Al Williams
