- July 14, 2026
When the Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved donating two city-owned residential lots to Flagler Habitat for Humanity, it did more than transfer property. It demonstrated how Florida's Live Local Act can help local governments transform underutilized public land into opportunities for affordable homeownership.
In 2023, the Florida Legislature expanded the Live Local Act by adopting section 166.0451, Florida Statutes. The law requires municipalities to periodically inventory publicly owned property that may be appropriate for affordable housing. Once those properties are identified, local governments may choose to lease the land for affordable housing, sell it with permanent affordability restrictions, reinvest the proceeds into affordable housing initiatives, or donate the property to a nonprofit housing organization for the construction of permanent affordable housing.
Importantly, the law does not require municipalities to donate land. Rather, it gives local governments another tool to address housing affordability while allowing each community to decide how best to use publicly owned property.
For Flagler Habitat for Humanity — the only nonprofit homebuilder in Flagler County dedicated exclusively to creating affordable homeownership opportunities — that tool can have a lasting impact.
One of the greatest challenges facing affordable homeownership today is the cost of land. While rising material prices, labor costs, insurance and interest rates often dominate the conversation, the price of acquiring buildable residential property is one of the largest expenses in every home Habitat builds.
Every dollar spent purchasing land is a dollar that cannot be invested in building another home or helping another family achieve homeownership.
Unlike what many people assume, Habitat homes are not given away. Families purchase their homes through an affordable mortgage after completing financial education, demonstrating the ability to repay their mortgage and contributing hundreds of hours of sweat equity alongside volunteers. Habitat's mission is to create affordable homeownership, and keeping development costs low is essential to making that possible.
When land is donated through partnerships like this, the savings are reflected in the affordability of the home. Lower development costs help keep monthly mortgage payments within reach for hardworking families who might otherwise never have the opportunity to own a home.
The benefits extend well beyond the homeowner. Vacant properties that once required public maintenance become productive, owner-occupied homes. Construction creates work for local contractors, suppliers and businesses. Once completed and privately owned, the homes return to the local tax roll, contributing property tax revenue while strengthening neighborhoods through long-term homeownership.
Affordable homeownership also strengthens the local economy. Habitat homeowners are teachers, healthcare workers, retail employees, tradespeople, nonprofit employees, veterans and many others who contribute to our community every day. Homeownership allows families to build equity, establish financial stability and invest more deeply in the place they call home.
Flagler Habitat for Humanity is deeply grateful to the Palm Coast City Council for recognizing the opportunity provided under Florida law and unanimously approving the donation of these two parcels.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to city staff, particularly Community Development Director John Zobler and Virginia Smith, for their guidance throughout the process.
We are equally thankful to our construction manager, John Knox, for evaluating the parcels for future development, and to our Community Outreach coordinator, Peter Ortiz, whose conversations with the city helped initiate this opportunity.
At Flagler Habitat for Humanity, we strive to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. This partnership embodies that mission. It demonstrates what is possible when local government, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, donors, businesses and community members work together to create lasting opportunities for local families.
Housing affordability will not be solved by any single law or organization. It will take collaboration, creativity and partnerships that recognize housing as an investment in the future of our community.
These two vacant lots represent more than land — they represent two future homes, two future homeowners and another step toward ensuring that working families can continue to live, work and thrive in Flagler County.
Devrie Paradowski is the executive director of Flagler Habitat for Humanity
