West Palm Beach is on track to approve its first development under Florida’s Live Local Act, a state law meant to boost affordable housing by letting developers bypass certain zoning rules if they set aside units for lower rents.
The project, called Deco Northwood, is an 8-story, 167-unit apartment complex planned for a vacant lot on Broadway near Old Northwood. It will reserve 40% of its units for workforce housing, with rents tied to the county’s median income — aiming to help those who earn too much for traditional affordable housing but not enough for pricey downtown apartments.
The project hasn’t been without challenges, though. Deco Northwood’s developer had to push back after the city initially resisted changes like height and parking variances. The city has since updated its code to allow flexibility under the Live Local Act.
Local reaction has been mostly positive to the Deco Northwood project. Many in Old Northwood hope the project will replace long-empty lots and help attract new businesses and shops to the area.
If approved, Deco Northwood could serve as a test case for how the Live Local Act plays out in Palm Beach County, where housing shortages — especially for middle-income earners — remain a growing concern.
