Faith Leaders Push Palm Beach County for More Affordable Housing

Advocacy group PEACE calls for new program to boost units for low-income residents as rents surge in the region.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:38pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic apartment building or rental sign, repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the housing affordability crisis in an abstract, pop art style.A vibrant visual representation of the affordable housing crisis in Palm Beach County, where rents have surged nearly 50% in just three years.Palm Beach Today

A justice ministry called PEACE is urging Palm Beach County to create a new affordable housing program that would incentivize developers to reserve more units for residents earning 60% or less of the area's median income. This comes as the county's own data shows rents for a two-bedroom apartment have jumped nearly 50% in just three years, pricing out many service workers and seniors on fixed incomes.

Why it matters

Palm Beach County has seen a rapid rise in housing costs that is making it increasingly difficult for lower-income residents to afford to live in the area. PEACE argues the county's current 'affordable' and 'workforce' housing programs are not reaching the residents who need the most help, and is pushing for a new initiative that would target deeper levels of affordability.

The details

PEACE is proposing that the county offer density bonuses to developers who reserve a certain percentage of units in new projects for residents earning 60% or less of the area median income, which is around $49,000 for an individual. The group says the county's existing affordable housing efforts have focused on units priced for those earning up to 120% of the median, which is still out of reach for many service workers and seniors.

  • In January 2024, a county report showed the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment had increased from $1,900 in 2021 to around $2,800.
  • Since 2022, Palm Beach County data shows it has built 6,337 'affordable' or 'workforce' housing units across 80 projects, with another 4,200 units either under construction or in pre-development.

The players

PEACE

A justice ministry organization that is advocating for Palm Beach County to create a new affordable housing program targeting deeper levels of affordability.

Rev. Randy Hightower

A faith leader with PEACE who said the housing crisis in Palm Beach County is a 'moral' issue, not just a housing one.

Mami Kisner

The First Lady at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church and a member of PEACE, who said the group's proposal is about ensuring the county's growth benefits everyone, not just some.

Palm Beach County

The local government entity that PEACE is urging to create a new affordable housing program with deeper income targeting.

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What they’re saying

“We're here today, because too many of our neighbors are being priced out of paradise. Our neighbors can't afford to rent the community they built and sustain. This isn't a housing issue. It's a moral one.”

— Rev. Randy Hightower, Faith Leader, PEACE

“This is about being fair and growth should benefit everybody, not just some. We don't need any more statements or any more promises. What we need is our officials to act.”

— Mami Kisner, First Lady, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church

What’s next

Palm Beach County officials have indicated they are reviewing PEACE's proposal and considering ways to further boost the supply of affordable housing units targeting lower-income residents.

The takeaway

As rents continue to surge in Palm Beach County, faith leaders and community advocates are pressing local officials to take bolder action to ensure the region's growth and prosperity benefits a broader cross-section of residents, not just the highest earners. Their call for a new affordable housing program focused on deeper levels of affordability highlights the growing divide between the haves and have-nots in one of Florida's wealthiest counties.