About Multi-Tenant Housing Units (MTHU’s)
Voter Approval in Delray Beach & Lake Worth Beach
New data released by the Florida Housing Innovations Council (FHIC) shows voters in Delray Beach and Lake Worth Beach, Florida overwhelmingly support efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing for low-income individuals in their communities. The study was conducted by nationally recognized polling firm, American Pulse, among 315 Active Voters in Delray Beach, and 250 Active Voters in Lake Worth Beach. The polls also show that with full information, voters strongly support Multi-Tenant Housing Units (MTHU’s), an enhanced version of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing or rooming houses.
For the MTHU concept, respondents in each city were split into two random samples: one seeing “Limited” information on MTHU’s (they are similar to rooming houses and go for $600 per month), and the other seeing a “Full” set of information (they are similar to rooming houses, go for $600 per month, were implemented city-wide in Toronto, require rigorous background checks, and other elements). Support among the “Full” information sample was twice the support of the “Limited” information sample in both cities.
Multi-Tenant Housing Units in The News:
There exists a lack of affordable housing for vulnerable sectors of the Palm Beach County population, including the independent elderly, very low income, and low-wage service workers.
Multi-tenant housing units (MTHU) are a proven housing option that provide clean, safe, and affordable housing designed to be a permanent housing option for Non-Family Households (HH’s), or individuals, making less than $35,000 per year (less than 50% of the Palm Beach County median household income), without the need for government assistance.
MTHU’s are Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units with 21st Century enhancements of internal and external features of the building. They are like traditional rooming houses where residents share a bathroom and kitchen. The communal design of bathrooms and kitchens allows for efficient operations and provides tenants with a better living experience without the need to significantly increase rental rates.
Each room is 100-120 square feet (the area of an apartment bedroom) with a closet. Rents are $600 per month vs. the average of $1,400 for a studio apartment. (As a side note that number has increased to $1,800 according to the federal government).
MTHU’s include advanced security systems and rigorous background checks for prospective tenants. The HUD vetting process includes a criminal background check and a check for history of evictions. Applicants with a felony or drug conviction within the past five years are disqualified. Tenants are interviewed by DHG staff to ensure they understand the rules of occupancy. DHG also uses a zero-tolerance policy for violations of nuisance and illegal drug-use.
MTHU’s include advanced security systems and rigorous background checks for prospective tenants. The HUD vetting process includes a criminal background check and a check for history of evictions. Applicants with a felony or drug conviction within the past five years are disqualified. Tenants are interviewed by DHG staff to ensure they understand the rules of occupancy. DHG also uses a zero-tolerance policy for violations of nuisance and illegal drug-use.
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Is it time for single-room housing? Delray Beach, Lake Worth Beach hear company's plans
Amid rising prices and a shortage of homes, Delray Beach in January will consider a plan to let renters live with shared kitchens and bathrooms.
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"More affordable housing options possibly coming to Delray"
WPTV | December 14, 2023
If approved by the Delray Beach City Commission, more affordable housing units could be coming to Delray Beach. -
"How to create affordable housing without subsidies"
The Palm Beach Post | December 27, 2023
Delray Beach should OK multi-tenant housing units, apartments that share kitchens and bathrooms, making affordable housing without subsidies. -
Re: “The Old New Way to Provide Cheap Housing”
The New York Times | December 24, 2023
Re “The Old New Way to Provide Cheap Housing,” by Nicholas Kristof (Scroll).
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