Current List of County-Owned Properties Appropriate for Affordable Housing

During the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Senate Bill 102, also known as the Live Local Act, was signed into law, amending Section 125.379, Florida Statutes.

Under this law, each county must, by October 1, 2023, and every three years thereafter, prepare an inventory list of all real property within its jurisdiction to which the county or any dependent special district holds fee simple title, and which is appropriate for use as affordable housing.

The law also requires local governments to maintain a public written policy outlining procedures for expediting permits and development orders for affordable housing projects. To review St. Lucie County’s expedited permitting procedures, please see Municode Section 11.02.03.

Inventory of County-Owned Properties Appropriate for Affordable Housing

Blue Sky Landing Affordable Housing Development

On October 27, 2017, St. Lucie County was escheated a 9.16-acre parcel located on McNeil Road. In response to the community’s growing need for affordable housing, the County issued a public solicitation on October 21, 2019, seeking qualified, licensed, and insured developers to construct a multifamily affordable housing community on the site.

Blue Sky Communities, LLC was the sole respondent to the Request for Qualifications and was selected to partner with the County on the project.

Project Overview

The resulting development—Blue Sky Landing—was completed in two phases and now provides 164 high-quality affordable rental units serving working families in St. Lucie County.

• Phase I, consisting of 82 units, was completed in November 2023.

• Phase II, the remaining 82 units, was completed in April 2024.

The community offers a range of amenities including a clubhouse, swimming pool, gazebo, and tot lot, designed to promote resident well-being and neighborhood connectivity. All units are reserved for income-qualified households in accordance with Florida Housing Finance Corporation and County affordability requirements.

Community Impact

Blue Sky Landing contributes directly to the County’s Strategic Plan goals by advancing both the Thriving Community and Healthy and Safe Community priorities:

• TC 3.4.1 – Develop and implement strategies to expand affordable, essential, and workforce housing opportunities.

• HS 4.3.1 – Provide economic stability and support services in our community for those individuals and families experiencing vulnerabilities.

•TC 3.4.4 – Seek out and leverage state and federal funding sources to expand the housing inventory and improve housing affordability.

By creating safe, modern, and energy-efficient homes for families, Blue Sky Landing supports economic stability, reduces housing cost burden, and strengthens the local workforce base.

For more information, visit www.blueskylanding.com.

Deleon Villas – Habitat for Humanity Project

In September 2021, St. Lucie County acquired a 2.2-acre parcel of residential property located at 5005 Deleon Avenue in Lakewood Park. Recognizing the ongoing need for attainable housing for working families, the County issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in November 2021 seeking a qualified housing partner to develop affordable homeownership opportunities on the site.

St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity was the sole responder and selected development partner. Habitat has begun construction of ten (10) new townhomes on the property, which will be sold to income-qualified homebuyers earning 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) or below.

The project utilizes a Community Land Trust (CLT) model of ownership, ensuring long-term affordability by maintaining the land in trust while allowing families to build equity through homeownership. This approach preserves affordability for future generations while strengthening neighborhood stability in the Lakewood Park community.

This initiative supports the County’s Strategic Plan objectives to expand affordable housing and enhance the well-being of vulnerable populations, specifically:

• TC 3.4.1 – Develop and implement strategies to expand affordable, essential, and workforce housing opportunities.

• TC 3.4.3 – Develop community-based strategies to address homelessness and unsheltered families.

• HS 4.3.1 – Provide economic stability and support services in our community for those individuals and families experiencing vulnerabilities.

Once completed, the Deleon Villas project will provide safe, energy-efficient, and permanently affordable homes for local families, reinforcing St. Lucie County’s commitment to sustainable community development and housing equity.

For more information visit Habitat for Humanity of St. Lucie and Okeechobee.

HOME-ARP Program

This is a special allocation of HOME funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These funds are intended to address the urgent housing and service needs of individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable populations.

HOME-ARP funds may be used for the following eligible activities:

• Production or Preservation of Affordable Housing

• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

• Supportive Services, Homeless Prevention Services, and Housing Counseling

• Purchase and Development of Non-Congregate Shelter

Congress authorized the use of HOME-ARP funds to provide housing, shelter, and services to specific qualifying populations (QPs). These four QPs are:

1. Homeless as defined in 24 CFR 91.5

2. At risk of homelessness as defined in 24 CFR 91.5

3. Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking

4. Other qualifying populations, including:

   A. Other families requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness

   B. Those at greatest risk of housing instability

St. Lucie County HOME-ARP Project

St. Lucie County has identified GraceWay Village as the subrecipient for its HOME-ARP allocation to develop a non-congregate shelter serving individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.

The GraceWay Village Non-Congregate Shelter Project will convert an existing facility into safe, private, service-enriched housing designed to meet the needs of vulnerable households, including women, families with children, and individuals fleeing domestic violence. Each unit will feature private living space, bathrooms, and kitchenettes—creating a trauma-informed environment that promotes dignity and recovery.

In addition to housing, the project will provide on-site supportive services such as case management, counseling, life-skills training, and connections to permanent housing resources. These services will be coordinated with the local Continuum of Care to ensure comprehensive, client-centered care.

This initiative directly supports the County’s Strategic Plan goal of fostering a Healthy and Safe Community, specifically:

• HS 4.3.1 – Provide economic stability and support services in our community for those individuals and families experiencing vulnerabilities.

• HS 4.3.3 – Seek out and leverage state and federal funding sources and programs to expand the delivery of social services, address nutritional and health needs and sustain steady employment.

• TC 3.4.3 – Develop community-based strategies to address homelessness and unsheltered families.

By addressing both immediate shelter needs and long-term stability, the GraceWay Village Non-Congregate Shelter will serve as a cornerstone of St. Lucie County’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness, enhance service delivery, and strengthen the resilience of its most vulnerable residents.

Once completed, the GraceWay Village Non-Congregate Shelter will serve as a cornerstone of St. Lucie County’s long-term strategy to reduce homelessness, improve housing stability, and strengthen the overall well-being of residents.

Veterans Homeless Shelter

The Veterans Homeless Shelter represents St. Lucie County’s continued commitment to serving those who have served our nation by ensuring that every veteran has access to safe, stable housing and supportive services.

Project Overview

The County is developing a dedicated transitional housing facility designed to serve veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The project will provide short-term residential accommodations, case management, and access to wraparound support services—including employment assistance, counseling, and linkage to permanent housing opportunities.

The facility is located within a former motel property purchased by St. Lucie County using a combination of local funds and a legislative appropriation from the State of Florida. The property will undergo substantial renovation and modernization to create a trauma-informed, service-enriched environment specifically tailored to the needs of veterans.

Construction bids were issued in October 2025, with project completion anticipated in mid-2026.

Through a competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, Inc. (TCHSC) was selected as the Shelter Operator. TCHSC will oversee day-to-day operations, coordinate referrals through the local Continuum of Care, and ensure that veterans receive individualized case management and housing navigation services to promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

Purpose and Design

The Veterans Homeless Shelter is designed with a trauma-informed and veteran-centered approach, providing both privacy and connection to community resources. The renovated facility will include:

• Private living quarters to provide safety and dignity;

• Common areas for dining, recreation, and supportive programming;

• On-site case management and coordination with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and local veteran service organizations.

This facility will not only offer short-term housing but will also serve as a gateway to permanent housing and independence for local veterans.

Strategic Alignment and Community Impact

The Veterans Homeless Shelter directly advances the County’s Strategic Plan goals under both the Healthy and Safe Community and Thriving Community focus areas:

• TC 3.4.3 – Develop community-based strategies to address homelessness and unsheltered families.
• HS 4.3.1 – Provide economic stability and support services in our community for those individuals and families experiencing vulnerabilities.
• TC 3.4.2 – Coordinate with community partners on veteran assistance to provide solutions for stable housing and other types of emergency assistance.
• HS 4.3.3 – Seek out and leverage state and federal funding sources and programs to expand the delivery of social services, address nutritional and health needs and sustain steady employment.

Once complete, the Veterans Homeless Shelter will serve as a cornerstone in St. Lucie County’s continuum of care—honoring the service of local veterans while providing the housing and resources needed to restore independence and dignity.