Transform386 passes the Volusia County Council. This spending plan for $329 million in federal hurricane relief dollars, with $200 million going to housing programs. The plan still requires federal approval.
The Transform386 project includes $145 million for single-family home repairs and replacement, $50 million for new multi-family construction and $5 million for rental repairs.
The plan also includes $50 million for infrastructure, over $42.9 million for mitigation, over $18.5 million for planning, and $1 million for public services. The two Council members who voted against the project argued for less money into housing and more money into infrastructure.
The mitigation category includes infrastructure projects, such as repairing and creating infrastructure to mitigate against future storms. The debate was, is it more important to fix current damage or mitigate future damage.
In addition to repairing or replacing homes damaged by Hurricane Ian, the county plans to pay for elevating a house if needed.
The Transform386 plan says Hurricane Ian exacerbated an existing housing shortage. The county conducted an analysis of the affordable housing needs during its 2020 Affordable Housing initiative and found a need for over 12,000 units across very low to moderate income levels.
Thanks for reading,
Chris
