Nonprofit developers, for-profit developers, Sarasota County public entities, public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations in Sarasota County can now apply for the Resilient SRQ Multifamily Affordable Housing Program.

The application period is open Sept. 15, through Oct. 24. Project proposals must meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements for funding consideration. Proposals shall be submitted online.

The Multifamily Affordable Housing Program has $30 million available in reimbursement grant funding to build or expand affordable housing in Sarasota County for low- and moderate- income households following the 2024 storms Debby, Helene and Milton.

This funding is part of Sarasota County’s $210 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding.

Information sessions for interested organizations will be held on the following dates:

• Thursday, Sept. 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 301 N. Cattlemen Rd., Suite 200, Sarasota.
• Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Virtual only)

Interested participants may register online.

To meet HUD requirements, projects must:

• Propose five or more rental units where at least 51% are affordable.
• Agree to a minimum affordability period of at least 20 years.
• Be located in Sarasota County.
• Be an eligible CDBG-DR activity.
• Have secured or taken steps to secure underwriting and include mitigation measures.

The below steps summarize the application and project selection process:

1. Organizations submit the application online by Oct. 24 to be considered.
2. Staff review and score applications according to the Sarasota County Commission–approved scoring criteria.
3. The Sarasota County Commission reviews and makes the final selection of projects for approval.
4. Approved projects enter into an agreement with the county outlining project-specific requirements.

Additional information can be found below: 

·      Program scoring criteria

·      Program fact sheet

·      Program website

Resilient SRQ originally launched the Hurricane Ian Multifamily Affordable Housing Program in March 2024, with $48 million awarded to 10 projects by the Sarasota County Commission, adding at least 476 affordable housing units for income-qualifying households.