Baker County is facing a housing shortage, with a need for a few hundred more units to meet current demand. County Community Development Director LaDonna Combs, a licensed real estate broker, believes that building enough supply to lower home prices could take years. However, she suggests that changes in zoning and building rules, as well as more government assistance directly to builders, could lower prices faster.

Addressing Housing Affordability

Combs notes that the issue reflects a widening disconnect between what it costs to build homes and what local residents can afford to pay. Researchers David Jaffee and Katie Renzi argue that housing affordability problems are not always the result of a lack of units, citing recent national research that shows many communities have added housing while still experiencing worsening affordability because incomes have not kept pace with housing costs.

According to census data, roughly 42% of Baker County renters are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Combs suggests that expanding state housing assistance programs could help bridge this gap. She recommends expanding funding for existing programs like the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and Florida’s Hometown Heroes program, which provides down payment and closing-cost assistance for eligible homebuyers.

Potential Solutions

The Florida Housing Data Project recommends loosening zoning density restrictions, expanding fast-track permitting processes, and encouraging more multifamily development. Baker County currently limits most residential zoning districts to one or two units per acre, but county commissioners could make changes to increase residential densities if the resulting homes are truly affordable for the average resident.

Combs also suggests exploring the use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are smaller secondary housing units built on the same property as an existing home. ADUs can increase housing options for young adults, seniors, and workers while preserving the rural character of communities.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.