It appears that St. Lucie County may be eligible to opt out of the Live Local Act’s property tax exemption for middle-income affordable housing units, similar to what Orlando has already done. However, for such action to take place, it would likely require strong advocacy or a push from local residents451.
The recent amendments to Florida’s Live Local Act now allow local governments, where there is an adequate supply of affordable housing, to opt out of the 75% property tax exemption for units serving households earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income. This opt-out does not affect the 100% exemption for households earning 80% or less of the median income.
While I am not entirely opposed to certain aspects of the Live Local Act—and recognize that it can bring positive change to communities that truly need more affordable housing—I am concerned that vulnerable communities should not face further opportunities for being taken advantage of or for funds to be misappropriated or misused. The Act’s provisions should be implemented with transparency and accountability to ensure that the intended benefits reach those who need them most.