Economic Opportunity and Community Investment

The Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Department provides long-range strategies enhancing development, revitalization and preservation of its character, neighborhoods, and natural environment. Through a team effort, the Department ensures the completion of projects that promote and stimulate quality development to strengthen the City economically, aesthetically, and socially. We serve with the belief strong partnerships and enriched communication with residents, businesses, and organizations enhances the ever-evolving community in which we live, work, and play.

Economic Opportunity and Community Investment Divisions:

• Planning
• Building
• Engineering
• Community Redevelopment Agency & Neighborhood Programs

Neighborhoods

CDBG and SHIP Programs

The Planning Division manages the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Housing Initiative (SHIP) programs. These are federally- and State-funded programs serving very low-, low- and moderate-income families through affordable housing improvements, public services, and community development projects.

CDBG Program

The CDBG program was established in 1974 through the Housing and Community Development Act. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program adheres to national objectives of targeting low and moderate income persons, preventing or eliminating slum or blight and addressing other urgent community development needs. The City’s CDBG funding is used for infrastructure projects, public services, and other improvements in the City.

SHIP Program

The SHIP program is intended to increase housing opportunities for very low-, low- and moderate-income households. Activities include the following:

• Owner Occupied Rehabilitation
• Purchase Assistance with or without Rehabilitation*
• Emergency Repair
• Disaster Mitigation
• New Construction

*Current Strategy

CDBG & SHIP REFERENCES

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Florida Housing Finance Corporation

Housing and Homelessness

The Winter Haven Housing White Paper identifies areas in need of improvement and provides recommendations to fill the gaps to reduce homelessness in the Winter Haven area over the next 3 – 5 years.

Winter Haven Housing White Paper 

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) is an organized group of citizens appointed by the Winter Haven City Commission.  Its mission is to eliminate substandard housing conditions within the City and provide increased opportunities for all of Winter Haven’s current and future residents to obtain safe and affordable housing.

• 2021-03-15 AHAC Agenda Packet

Quiet Zone Information

Train travel and horn noise in certain neighborhoods around railroad intersections has been studied.  Click the link to review this report.

Quiet Zone Assessment Report