COUNTY APPROVES RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT HARDSHIP DEFERRAL PROGRAM

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved a Residential Neighborhood Improvements Program MSBU Ordinance that allows neighborhoods in unincorporated Monroe County to request and fund community improvements that benefit specific geographic areas beyond the county's standard level of service. The board also approved a related Financial Hardship Deferral Program to assist qualifying low-income homeowners with assessment deferrals in neighborhoods that have an MSBU approved.

The Residential Neighborhood Improvements Program is entirely voluntary and is designed to help neighborhoods pursue projects that residents identify as priorities. Rather than being initiated by the county, projects would be requested by residents within a defined neighborhood benefit area and approved by a majority vote of affected property owners (50% +1). If approved, the county would consider advancing the funds and implementing the work on behalf of the residents. All costs would be paid back to the county through an assessment on the property benefiting from the project.

The updated program expands the types of eligible neighborhood projects beyond roadway elevation and flood mitigation to include improvements such as:

• Drainage improvements
• Beach renourishment and erosion control
• Living shorelines
• Recreational facilities and services
• Canal improvements, such as weed gates
• Street and roadway adaptations
• Sidewalks
• Street lighting
• Other essential neighborhood infrastructure and services

"Every neighborhood has different needs and priorities," said Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. "This program provides property owners who directly benefit from improvements the ability to work together with the county to pursue improvements that are important to their community."

Financial Hardship Deferral Program
Recognizing that special assessments may create financial challenges for some homeowners, the board also established a Financial Hardship Deferral Program for qualifying homesteaded properties within an approved MSBU project area, which would defer the assessments owed to the county. Under the program, Monroe County may pay the annual special assessment on behalf of eligible homeowners if the board has appropriated funding. The county would then be reimbursed for the full assessment due when the property is sold or transferred.

To qualify, applicants must meet several eligibility requirements, including:

• Own and live in a homesteaded property within an approved project area.
• Have a household income at or below 80 percent of Monroe County's median income (low-income level).
• Have no more than $60,000 in available cash assets.
• Have annual MSBU assessment(s) exceeding $1,500.

Participants must apply with supporting documentation, and eligibility will be reviewed periodically.

The Financial Hardship Deferral Program is intended to help qualifying residents while allowing neighborhoods to pursue important infrastructure improvements that improve safety, resilience, and quality of life.

For additional information about the MSBU Residential Neighborhood Improvements Program or the Financial Hardship Deferral Program, visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/msbu.

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