June 3, 2022

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Housing and Transportation Economic Summit

On June 2nd, Palm Beach County held its Housing and Transportation Economic Summit. This event brought together local policymakers, housing and transportation experts, stakeholders, and the public to discuss the significant housing and transportation challenges facing our County and potential solutions. These are some of the most important conversations we can have as these issues directly affect our livelihoods, quality of life, and the ability of our County to grow and thrive in the future.

The housing crisis has a direct impact on our County's economic development. During the panel on affordable and workforce housing, Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board, spoke about several recent discussions she had with businesses that sought to relocate or expand here but either hesitated or declined due to the lack of reasonably-priced housing.

It was my honor to introduce one of the keynote speakers, Clarence Anthony, the CEO and Executive Director (and former South Bay Mayor!) of the National League of Cities. Clarence spoke of the importance of "doing something different" here in Palm Beach County to address these challenges immediately.

During the transportation panel, leaders from the Florida Department of Transportation, Palm Tran, and Tri-Rail discussed the future of transportation. This discussion also made clear that housing and transportation must be addressed together. While density is one component to increasing housing stock and improving affordability, it makes the most sense where public transportation is established so road congestion isn't worsened.

In my last few months in office, I will continue addressing housing and transportation and exploring creative solutions to ensure a strong quality of life for all residents.

Commissioner McKinlay with Clarence Anthony of the National League of Cities

L-R: Mayor Robert Weinroth, Commissioner Maria Sachs, County Administrator Verdenia Baker, Commissioner McKinlay, Vice Mayor Gregg Weiss, and Commissioner Mack Bernard

Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation

June 3rd is Gun Violence Awareness Day. I sponsored the proclamation recognizing this important day in Palm Beach County. In the tragic aftermath of the Uvalde and Buffalo attacks, it is more important than ever to fully understand the impact of gun violence. Americans are 26 times likelier to die by gun homicide than people in other high-income countries. In Florida, approximately 2,800 people die from gun violence every year, and our state has a firearm death rate of 12.9 per 100,000, the 27th highest rate of such deaths in the U.S. I commend all who own and handle their firearms responsibly. As an elected official tasked with helping keep my constituents safe, I also welcome the opportunity to raise awareness of gun violence and to work with law enforcement and legislators on meaningful ways to keep guns out of the hands of those who seek harm to others.

Commissioner McKinlay with representatives from Moms Demand Action

Gun Violence Awareness Day_6-1-22_McKinlay.jpg

Federal Funding for EAA Reservoir

There is important news for the future of Everglades restoration--President Biden has committed $256 million of federal funding for construction of the EAA Reservoir. This funding will help expedite the completion of the 10,500-acre project located south of Lake Okeechobee. Its purpose is to send clean water south through the Everglades and help reduce discharges from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries.

This is an important step forward for the restoration of one of the planet's most impressive ecosystems--the Florida Everglades!

Governor's Vetoes

On June 3rd, the Governor announced his veto list. I'm happy to share that the funding for WestTech, Everglades Workforce Training, and RESTORE Reentry were not vetoed. Here's the list of significant PBC/District 6 projects that were appropriated by the legislature with vetoes noted in bold:

C-51 Reservoir Phase 2 Cell 13 - $65,000,000
Palm Beach State College Loxahatchee Campus Dental & Medical Technology Building - $25,000,000
Everglades Restoration Workforce Training Program - $1,700,000
West Technical Education Center Adult Education & Workforce Development Training Program - $397,288
Royal Palm Beach Commons Park Corporate Picnic Pavilions - $450,000 - VETOED
Loxahatchee Groves North Road Equestrian/Multi-Use Trail - $45,000 - VETOED
University of Florida West Palm Beach Global Center for Technology and Innovation - $100,000,000
Cox Science Center and Aquarium Expansion (formerly known as South Florida Science Center) - $10,000,000
RESTORE Reentry Program - $375,000
Homeless Resource Center 2 - $250,000 - VETOED
Lake Worth Lagoon - $359,375
Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative - $1,302,500 - MARTIN COUNTY PROJECT VETOED, FOUR OTHER PROJECTS NOT VETOED

Housing Assistance Programs

Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) announces the availability of funding for the following programs:

HOME Investments Partnership Program – Funding Allocation of $1,800,000:

First Time Homebuyer Program – June 20, 2022 at 8:00am – August 22, 2022 at 11:59pm (or until 40 applications have been submitted). Funding will assist income eligible first-time homebuyers with gap financing, lot acquisition, down payment, closing costs and/or rehabilitation, to purchase a new or existing home. Applicants are required to attend a Mandatory Orientation prior to application submittal. Register now at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6869720/HED-HOME

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program – Funding Allocation of $500,000:

Foreclosure Prevention Program – June 27, 2022 at 8:00am - until ALL funding is expended. Funding will assist income eligible homeowners who are facing foreclosure due to an unexpected loss of household income.

Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Program – Funding Allocation of $2,100,000:

Mortgage Assistance Program – June 27, 2022 at 8:00am – until all funding is expended. Funding will assist applicants impacted by COVID19, to apply for up to $20,000, in financial assistance to help with paying delinquent first mortgage, escrow payments (PITI), second mortgages, late fees, condominium and homeowners’ association payments, special assessments, and other mortgage associated costs related to COVID-19.

NOTE: Applications must be submitted online, and will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability on the dates noted above by visiting the website at https://pbcgov.com/HED.

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED)

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

HEDverify@pbcgov.org