DELAND, Fla. — Volusia County council members unanimously voted to opt out of a property tax exemption under the state’s Live Local Act.

The bill was designed to increase the availability of affordable housing opportunities for Florida’s residents.

This means the county will no longer give a tax exemption for affordable housing projects geared towards individuals earning 80 to 120 percent of the Area Median Income or AMI.

This affordability range accounts for an annual income of $46,400 to $69,600.

The county says the reason for the tax exemption is because of an affordable housing surplus for that specific income range which was revealed through the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies’ Annual Report.

Community Services Director for Volusia County, Dr. Brad Burbaugh says the resolution is focused on addressing where the greatest need is, which right now is most felt by those making 80 percent or less of the AMI.

According to the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, that is the equivalent of $46,400 or less per year.

What You Need To Know

  • Volusia County opts out of property tax exemption for certain affordable housing projects

  • Projects that would be deemed affordable to individuals who earn 80 to 120 per cent of the Area Median Income (AMI) receiving tax break

  • The 80-120 percent AMI range accounts for an annual income of $46,400 to $69,600

  • County says reason for the tax exemption on developers is because of an affordable housing surplus of the 80-120 per cent AMI range

According to that same report, the maximum affordable monthly housing cost for someone in the 80-120 percent AMI range is between $1,243 and $1,864.

But for many in Volusia County, that is unaffordable.

“Right now, there are 31 developments in our community that would be eligible for that property tax exemption and what this does is it says no we are not going to afford you that exemption on the county, taxing authorities, because we have a surplus. What we’re going to do is dedicate our funding to those 80% and below who are really hurting,” says Community Services Director for Volusia County, Dr. Brad Burbaugh.

Since the county laid out its 5-year affordable housing plan in 2022, Burbaugh says it has already allocated more than $88 million to produce new affordable housing or preserve those same housing initiatives to keep those benefiting from it, there.

The resolution will be passed on to the county chair and county manager before making its way to the property appraiser for final approval.

It won’t go into effect until next year.