Draft Local Housing Assistance Plan FY2026-2029 available for review

Draft Local Housing Assistance Plan FY2026-2029 available for review

Published on February 04, 2026

The City of Gainesville is accepting public comments for a 15-day period on the Draft Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for Fiscal Years 2026-2029 under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. Community Engagement Sessions will be held from February 16-19, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at multiple locations throughout the city. These sessions provide an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to review the draft plan and share feedback. The Draft LHAP is available online as of Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 and in person through the Department of Housing & Community Development. Public comments will be accepted through February 23, 2026.

Community engagement sessions will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations and dates:

• February 16, 2026 - Long Gallery, Thomas Center, 306 NE 6th Avenue, Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32601
• February 17, 2026 - Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32653
• February 18, 2026 - Gainesville Technology Entrepreneurship Center (GTEC), 2153 SE Hawthorne Road, Room 109, Gainesville, FL 32641
• February 19, 2026 - Celebration Pointe, 4870 Celebration Pointe, Gainesville, FL 32608

The SHIP Program is authorized under Sections 420.907-420.9079, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code, and is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The purpose of the LHAP is to outline strategies to meet the housing needs of very low income, low-income, and moderate-income households; expand and preserve affordable housing; and further the affordable housing goals of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

As part of the LHAP approval process, the City of Gainesville Housing and the Department of Housing & Community Development will conduct Community Engagement Sessions to solicit input from residents, housing providers, service organizations, and other interested parties. The purpose of these sessions is to provide the public with an opportunity to review the Draft LHAP framework and to offer comments, recommendations, and input prior to the Plan being submitted for adoption. Public participation is encouraged to ensure the Draft LHAP reflects community housing needs and priorities.

Review the draft

The Draft LHAP can be accessed online from this page and the Housing & Community Development webpage. Electronic copies of the Draft LHAP may be requested via email, at [email protected]. Hard copies of the Draft LHAP are available to the public during regular business hours:

City of Gainesville Department of Housing & Community Development
Thomas Center B, second floor
306 NE Sixth Ave.

Submit comments

Comments on the Draft LHAP may be submitted until 5 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Comments may be submitted by email at [email protected] or by mail at:

Public Comment, FY 2026-2029 Draft LHAP
Department of Housing & Community Development
c/o City of Gainesville
P.O. Box 490, Station 22
Gainesville, FL 32627-0490.

For additional information regarding the Draft Local Housing Assistance Plan or the Community Engagement Sessions, please contact HCD Manager, Phimetto Lewis at 352-393-8862, [email protected].

Related Information

• Housing & Community Development
• Draft Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) FY2026-2029

• Affordable Housing