Housing and Neighborhood Development

Please be advised that the Housing and Neighborhood Development office no longer administers Section 8 funds. For assistance with Section 8 housing programs or portability, contact your local housing authority directly.

• Bartow Housing Authority – (863) 533-6311
• Lakeland Housing Authority – (863) 687-2911
• Winter Haven Housing Authority – (863) 294-7369
• Lake Wales Housing Authority – (863) 676-7414

Polk’s Housing and Neighborhood Development programs comply with federal, state and local laws to include the following:

Section 3 of the United States Housing and Urban Development HUD Act of 1968, (12U.S.C. 1701u) (Section 3) at 24 CFR Part 135 states the purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by certain HUD financial assistance shall, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with the existing federal, state and local laws and regulations, be directed to low and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing and to the businesses which provide economic opportunities to these persons.

The Davis–Bacon Act of 1931 is a United States federal law that establishes the requirement for paying the local prevailing wages on public works projects for laborers and mechanics. It applies to “contractors and subcontractors performing on federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works.

If you have questions, please contact the Housing Compliance Program Manager or the Community Development Supervisor at (863) 534-5240, or email [email protected].

Funds used to reduce neighborhood slum and blight in unincorporated areas of Polk County and municipalities (excluding cities not participating in the urban county agreement). These areas are to particularly include target areas as recognized by HND of Polk County. These program addresses vacant and dilapidated structures predominately in very low to low income areas with evidence of physical, social or economic decline.

For additional information please contact the Polk County Code Enforcement Demolition Supervisor in at (863) 534-6054.

Federal funds are awarded to eligible non-profit organizations providing programs new or expanded activities that assist low-and moderate-income individuals, through services such as job training, health services, youth services and senior services.

Eligible nonprofit organizations provide support services and emergency shelter to help low-income individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Support services are designed to help individuals regain stability through key components such as shelter operations, rapid rehousing, homeless prevention and street outreach.

If you need additional information, please contact (863) 534-5240 or email [email protected].

This is a collaboration in which Polk County provides federal funds to city governments to administer services within the city limits to improve low-moderate income areas and assist individuals within the community.

This program is based on funding availability. Facilities publicly owned or nonprofit owned facilities open to the public that administer eligible services to community and predominately serving those who have low to moderate income. For example, community center improvements, transitional housing repairs or ADA accessibility.

This program encompasses public infrastructure projects designed to improve low- and moderate-income areas in Polk County through projects, such as drainage improvements, sidewalk improvements and park improvements. 2 CFR § 184.4(c)

Households in need of repairs to correct code violation, health and safety issues, roofing systems (including soffit and fascia), septic tanks, septic tank abandonment and sewer tie in, well, or handicapped accessibility needs, including ramps, grab bars and widen doors for access. Assistance provided is based on the initial inspection/evaluation of the property to determine program funding source.

Federal HOME funds have a component called the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). A CHDO is a private, nonprofit, community-based service organization that has obtained, or intends to obtain, staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves.

Participating Jurisdictions must set aside a minimum of 15% of their HOME allocations for housing development activities in which qualified CHDOs are the owners, developers and/or sponsors of the housing. PJs must have a reasonable expectation of specific projects going forward.

A CHDO is a specific type of private nonprofit entity. CHDOs must meet certain requirements pertaining to its:

• Legal status
• Organizational structure
• Capacity and experience

Funds will be used to provide replacement housing for eligible owner-occupied homes once the evaluation of costs for the rehabilitation exceeds 50% of the value of the existing housing unit. Only those dwellings occupied by eligible homeowners wishing to participate in a voluntary demolition program will be considered qualified for replacement.

This rental assistance program provides stable housing to low-income people, helping them afford the housing costs of market-rate units. 24 CFR § 92.209. For questions, please contact the Housing Administrative Supervisor at (863) 534-5240 or [email protected].