The purpose of this Rule Chapter is to establish the procedures by which the Corporation shall: (1) Administer the competitive solicitation funding process to make and service mortgage loans for new construction or rehabilitation ....

 

FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

67-60.001Purpose and Intent

67-60.002Definitions

67-60.003Notice and Posting of Competitive Solicitations

67-60.004Withdrawal of Competitive Solicitation or Application

67-60.005Modification of Terms of Competitive Solicitations

67-60.006Responsibility of Applicants

67-60.007Evaluation of Applications

67-60.008Right to Waive Minor Irregularities

67-60.009Applicant Administrative Appeal Procedures

67-60.010Funding Preferences

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this Rule Chapter is to establish the procedures by which the Corporation shall:

(1) Administer the competitive solicitation funding process to make and service mortgage loans for new construction or rehabilitation of affordable rental units under the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program authorized by Section 420.5087, F.S., and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program authorized by Section 420.5089, F.S.; (2) Administer the competitive solicitation processes to implement the provisions of the Housing Credit (HC) Program authorized by Section 42 of the IRC and Section 420.5099, F.S.; and

(3) Unless otherwise provided in the competitive solicitation, administer the competitive solicitation funding process for any other Corporation program.

The intent of this Rule Chapter is to encourage public-private partnerships to invest in residential housing; to stimulate the construction and rehabilitation of residential housing which in turn will stimulate the job market in the construction and related industries; and to increase and improve the supply of affordable housing in the state of Florida.

SUMMARY: The proposed Rule creates a formulated process for administering the competitive solicitation funding process for the Corporation’s programs.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The rule is not likely to have an adverse impact on economic growth, private sector job creation or employment, or private sector investment in excess of $1 million in the aggregate within 5 years after the implementation of the rule. The rule is not likely to have an adverse impact on business competitiveness, including the ability of persons doing business in the state to compete with persons doing business in other states or domestic markets, productivity, or innovation in excess of $1 million in the aggregate within 5 years after the implementation of the rule. In addition, the rule is not likely to increase regulatory costs, including any transactional costs, in excess of $1 million in the aggregate within 5 years after the implementation of the rule.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 420.507(12) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: May 25, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time

PLACE: The hearing will take place by webinar and the instructions for accessing the webinar will be posted on the Corporation’s website https://www.floridahousing.org/programs/developers-multifamily-programs/competitive/current-rules-and-rule-development-process/2022-rule-development-process. Interested parties may also attend in person at the offices of Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 N. Bronough Street, 6th Floor Seltzer Room, Tallahassee, Florida.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Elizabeth Thorp, [phone].. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Marisa Button, Managing Director of Multifamily Programs, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1329, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

Rule Chapter Title:  MULTIFAMILY COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FUNDING PROCESS

67-60.001 Purpose and Intent.

The purpose of this rule chapter is to establish the procedures by which the Corporation shall:

(1) Administer the competitive solicitation funding process to make and service mortgage loans for new construction or rehabilitation of affordable rental units under the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program and the Elderly Housing Community Loan (EHCL) Program authorized by section 420.5087, F.S., the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program authorized by section 420.5089, F.S.;

(2) Administer the competitive solicitation processes to implement the provisions of the Housing Credit (HC) Program authorized by Section 42 of the IRC and section 420.5099, F.S.; and,

(3) Administer the competitive solicitation funding process for any other Corporation program.

(4) This rule chapter shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed or renewed through the rulemaking process no later than five years from the effective date.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Amended 10-8-14, Repromulgated 9-15-16, 7-8-18, Amended ___________.

67-60.002 Definitions.

Unless otherwise specifically provided, the definitions in section 67-48.002, F.A.C. and section 67-21.002, F.A.C., apply to this rule chapter.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Repromulgated 10-8-14, Amended 9-15-16, 7-8-18, _________.

67-60.003 Notice and Posting of Competitive Solicitations.

(1) Public notice of any competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter shall be given as provided herein and in advance of the due date of the Applications, to permit Applicants to prepare and submit Applications in a timely fashion.

(2) The Corporation shall post any competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter on its Website, which shall constitute “electronic posting” pursuant to section 120.57(3)(a), F.S., notwithstanding the definition in section 287.012(10), F.S., and the provisions of section 287.042(3), F.S. There will be a minimum of fourteen (14) days between the publication date of the notice on the Website, and the due date of the Applications.

(3) The Corporation shall post each notice of a decision or intended decision concerning a competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter on its Website, which shall constitute “electronic posting” pursuant to section 120.57(3)(a), F.S., notwithstanding the definition in section 287.012(10), F.S., and the provisions of section 287.042(3), F.S.

(4) Any notice or solicitation issued by the Corporation pursuant to this rule chapter shall be considered published at the date and time indicated on the Corporation Website.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.504, 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Repromulgated 10-8-14, 9-15-16, Amended 7-8-18, Repromulgated ______.

67-60.004 Withdrawal of Competitive Solicitation or Application.

(1) The Corporation may withdraw any competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter at any time prior to the due date of the Applications when the withdrawal is determined by the Executive Director to be in the best interest of the Corporation or the public. Notice of such determination shall be posted on the Corporation’s Website and published in the next available volume of the F.A.R.

(2) Any Applicant may request withdrawal of its Application from a competitive solicitation by filing a written notice of withdrawal with the Corporation Clerk. For purposes of the funding selection process, the Corporation shall not accept any Application withdrawal request that is submitted after 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), on the last business day before the date the scoring committee meets to make its recommendations until after the Board has taken action on the scoring committee’s recommendations, and such Application shall be included in the funding selection process as if no withdrawal request had been submitted. Any funding or allocation that becomes available after such withdrawal is accepted shall be treated as returned funds and disposed of according to the terms of that competitive solicitation.

(3) Fees submitted by Applicants as required by any competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter are non-refundable.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Amended 10-8-14, Repromulgated 9-15-16, Amended 7-8-18, Repromulgated _______.

67-60.005 Modification of Terms of Competitive Solicitations.

The Corporation may modify the terms of any competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter at any point prior to the due date of the Applications. A notice of modification will be posted on the Corporation’s Website. Any Applicant shall have at least seven (7) days from the date of the posting of the notice of the modification to submit or modify its Application.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Repromulgated 10-8-14, 9-15-16, Amended 7-8-18, Repromulgated _______.

67-60.006 Responsibility of Applicants.

(1) The failure of an Applicant to supply required information in connection with any competitive solicitation pursuant to this rule chapter shall be grounds for a determination of nonresponsiveness with respect to its Application. If a determination of nonresponsiveness is made by the Corporation, the Application shall be considered ineligible.

(2) At no time during the review and evaluation of any competitive solicitation issued under this rule chapter, commencing with the due date for submission of Applications and continuing until the Board renders a final decision on the competitive solicitation, may Applicants or their representatives contact Board members or Corporation staff, except Corporation Legal staff, concerning their own or any other Applicant’s Application. If an Applicant or its representative does contact a Board or staff member in violation of this section, the Board shall, upon a determination that such contact was made in an attempt to influence the selection process, disqualify the Application.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Amended 10-8-14, Repromulgated 9-15-16, Amended 7-8-18, Repromulgated ______.

67-60.007 Evaluation of Applications.

(1) For each competitive solicitation issued pursuant to this rule chapter the Corporation shall establish a scoring committee composed only of employees of the Corporation to evaluate Applications, which scoring committee shall provide findings, recommendations, or both to the Board.

(2) Scoring committee members shall independently evaluate Applications, and shall not communicate with members of the same scoring committee regarding such evaluation, except during meetings noticed and open to the public.

(3) The scoring committee shall conduct one or more public meetings at which the scoring committee members may discuss their evaluation, or present their findings, make recommendations to the Board, or any combination thereof.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Repromulgated 10-8-14, 9-15-16, 7-8-18, Repromulgated _______.

67-60.008 Right to Waive Minor Irregularities.

Minor irregularities are those irregularities in an Application, such as computation, typographical, or other errors, that do not result in the omission of any material information; do not create any uncertainty that the terms and requirements of the competitive solicitation have been met; do not provide a competitive advantage or benefit not enjoyed by other Applicants; and do not adversely impact the interests of the Corporation or the public. Minor irregularities may be waived or corrected by the Corporation.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Repromulgated 10-8-14, 9-15-16, Amended 7-8-18, Repromulgated _______.

67-60.009 Applicant Administrative Appeal Procedures.

(1) Interested parties that wish to protest the terms of any competitive solicitation issued pursuant to this rule chapter may only do so pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 120.57(3), F.S., and chapter 28-110, F.A.C.

(2) Any person who is adversely affected by funding decisions under any competitive solicitation may only protest the results of the competitive solicitation process pursuant to the procedures set forth in section 120.57(3), F.S., and chapters 28-106 and 28-110, F.A.C. Any pleadings or other documents must be filed with the Corporation in accordance with section 28-106.104, F.A.C.

(3) Any specifically named person whose substantial interests are being determined in the proceeding may make an appearance as a party. Any other person wishing to intervene in the proceeding must do so in accordance with rule 28-106.205, F.A.C.

(4) For the purposes of section 120.57(3)(f), F.S., any competitive solicitation issued under this rule chapter shall be considered a “request for proposal.” No submissions made after the Application deadline which amend or supplement the Application shall be considered.

(5) Applicants initiating administrative proceedings under this rule chapter shall not be required to post a bond.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(48), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History–New 8-20-13, Amended 10-8-14, Repromulgated 9-15-16, Amended 7-8-18, Repromulgated ______.

67-60.010 Funding Preferences.

(1) In connection with any competitive solicitation, where all other competitive elements are equal, the Corporation may establish a preference for developers and general contractors who demonstrate the highest rate of Florida job creation in the development and construction of affordable housing.

(2) In any competitive solicitation, the Corporation may prescribe a priority to fund affordable housing projects in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern and the City of Key West Area of Critical State Concern where, due to challenging environmental, land use, transportation, workforce, and economic factors, it is extremely difficult to successfully finance, develop, and construct affordable housing.

(3) The Corporation may establish other funding priorities as deemed appropriate for a competitive program or solicitation.

Rulemaking Authority 420.507(12) FS. Law Implemented 420.507(47), (48), (49), 420.5087, 420.5089(2), 420.5099 FS. History‒New 10-8-14, Repromulgated 9-15-16, 7-8-18, Repromulgated _______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Marisa Button, Managing Director of Multifamily Programs, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, Florida 32031-1329, [phone]

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Ron Lieberman, Chairman of the Board, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1329, [phone]

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 29, 2022

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: Volume 48, Number 22, February 2, 2022