Florida Construction News staff writer

The City of Gainesville is making $7.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding available to help lower-income neighbors rent or buy affordable homes. To receive funding, developers must commit to build subsidized homes or apartments for families with incomes at or below 65% of the city’s area median income (AMI) for new rental units and at 300% of the Gainesville federal poverty level for for-sale units.

Gainesville city commissioners first approved ARPA funds to build affordable housing when presented with the proposal in July 2022. Housing & Community Development Director Corey Harris’ plan earmarks $6 million for developers who agree to construct rental units and $1.2 million for those building single-family or multi-family homes for first-time buyers.

Officials say the initiative will make a substantial difference for the community.

“We ask people, if housing was available to you that was affordable and met your needs, would you be interested in moving into that housing? And on average, 95% of people say, ‘Absolutely, if there was housing that was available and affordable I would love to move into that housing.’”

Developers can access the ARPA funding application on the Housing and Community Development webpage. Applications must be submitted by 7 a.m. on March 6. Funding awards are subject to approval by the Gainesville City Commission and based on availability.

For information about the funding, please contact John Wachtel at 352-393-8565 or wachteljs@gainesvillefl.gov.