We refer to it in shorthand as PASH.

It’s permanent.

FHE will have a landlord-tenant relationship with its customer. The rights of both parties are delineated in state law, it is a common practice, and it provides for a fair and balanced relationship between the parties.

It’s affordable. 

FHE will endeavor to serve lower income individuals, but ultimately who we can serve will depend on how each project is financed and if that financing must be repaid. Rents rise when there is debt. We attempt to avoid debt when feasible.

Our goal is to serve individuals at or below 80% of AMI, or area median income which is defined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (aka HUD).

As an example:  For the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent FL MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area), the average income at 80% AMI is $45,850 (50% AMI is $28,650). HUD indicates that a person should spend no more than 30% of their income on housing. At 80% AMI, that is $1,146 per month and at 50% AMI that is $716 per month. Per Apartments.com, the current average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,252. When other costs are added including utilities, the cost of living is very challenging for low-income individuals.

It’s supportive.

FHE will assess each tenant to determine if services other than just housing are needed for a tenant to be successful. Those services could address physical health care needs, behavioral health care needs, elder care, veteran care, young adults exiting the foster care system, or low-income individuals that need help finding/or keeping their job. While FHE will have staff that provide very general case management assistance, we will need to seek specialized care services from other service providers in the community.

It’s housing.

Homes for individuals and families. Seniors 55+, Workforce, Veterans, Active military, single parents with children.

For most housing options, the rents are based on the “market”, which ultimately means the owner will attempt to get whatever rent they can based on area pricing – what the “market will bear” as they say.

The PASH approach is to be affordable, to provide stability for our tenants and help them achieve their highest levels of independence and self-sufficiency.

Utilities are included in the rent cost along with internet.  People can sustain their lives.  We keep it simple for them to function in our society.  They only need to write one check. The rest is there to provide them with the services they require.  Counseling, Mental and Behavioral Health, career development and educational support among other needs.  Case managers are on the premises and work with the property manager to provide stability.

If someone complies with the terms and conditions of their lease, like any other multi-family property, a tenant can live there indefinitely.  The ultimate success for us would be to assist our tenants in improving the financial well-being so that when stable and ready, they would leave us to live in a complex, perhaps buy their own place, and thus freeing up their unit to the next person in need.

We will accomplish our mission by developing, acquiring, renovating, and operating permanent affordable supportive housing.

A successful project serves people in need, achieves economic stability, is an asset to the community, and moves its tenants to independence and self-sufficiency.

To summarize:  We focus on five S’s: Shelter, Security, Support, Stability and Sustainability

That is perhaps the major challenge for here in Pensacola, and throughout the state of Florida and nationally.

Projects at first glance have seemingly high price tags, which can make elected officials, policy makers and the public nervous—especially during an election cycle.

We will endeavor to stay informed and be ready to move forward and take every opportunity to apply for and hopefully receive grants when it comes to funding, both locally, regionally and at the national level.

Follow our website, read/listen to the local/national news media (tv, radio, magazines, newspapers), follow specific national advocacy groups, like the National Low Income Housing Coalition (nlihc.com).

Follow your city and/or county regular meeting agendas and respond to agenda items dealing with affordable housing.

Attend a local Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) meeting.

Follow the Florida Housing Coalition (flhousing.org)

Talk to your neighbors, your city council representatives, your county commissioners.

Advocate. Create Awareness. Advance the cause.

It is possible to make a difference when it comes to affordable housing in our community. The current efforts are admirable, but much more is needed.

The current cost on a per unit basis is still significantly less than in many other regions in the country. At present our area has that advantage to stem the tide on the numbers of unhoused individuals and families.

If nothing is done, the community is impacted by the public health and safety aspects such as law enforcement engagement, emergency response (911) engagement, ineffective and overcrowding and unnecessary use of emergency rooms and hospital beds in general, and the impact that it has on businesses in general.

Housing scarcity was created over an extended period. It will take time and a concerted effort to catch up. It will take political will and philanthropic vision and significant resources. However, we believe it can be done and done for the benefit of all concerned. The return on investment far exceeds the long-term costs on communities.