This is your wake-up call, Florida, and we need your help to save affordable housing. The Florida Legislature recently approved SPB 2512, to permanently redirect 50% of the housing trust funds each year to other projects.
That’s some serious money that won’t be available to teachers, firefighters, nurses and other first responders for housing assistance. If this budget passes, 50% of the $423 million available in the housing trust funds – funds that are specifically collected and earmarked for this critical need – will go toward priorities other than housing.
This is unacceptable.
For nearly 30 years, the State Housing Initiative Program has received $2.6 billion from the housing trust funds that has helped 217,000 households with down payment and closing cost assistance, among other housing programs. A $423 million investment into housing programs next year would create 33,000 jobs and more than $4.9 billion in positive economic impact. That’s sound policy as we seek to
Guest column: Affordable housing needs secure funding
Your turn
Countless hard-working Floridians may be denied a shot at the American dream of homeownership if the Florida Legislature approves two pieces of pending legislation – HB5401 and SB 2512. If passed, this legislation that would permanently redirect millions of dollars to other state projects from trust funds that, by law, are mandated to provide housing assistance to low-income and middle-income citizens.
Already, House Bill 5401 and Senate Bill 2512 have moved out of committee and await a floor vote by the legislators of their respective legislative chambers.
It is time for all Floridians to take a stand and tell their state representatives and senators that they do not support these bills.
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4 days ago Share If proposed legislation passes, 66% of the $423 million available in the housing trust funds will go toward priorities other than housing.
Editor s Note: Florida Realtors recently published the following message. It was sent to the Palm Coast Observer by the Flagler County Association of Realtors, with approval of FCAR President Ryan Ford.
This is your wake-up call, Florida, and we need your help to save affordable housing. Last week, Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls unveiled legislation, HB 5401 and SPB 2512, to permanently redirect two-thirds of the housing trust funds each year to sea level rise and wastewater infrastructure projects.
Robin McKeever and Al Giacalone
Special to The News-Press
This is your wake-up call, Florida, and we need your help to save affordable housing. Last week, Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls unveiled legislation, HB 5401 and SPB 2512, to permanently redirect two-thirds of the housing trust funds each year to sea level rise and wastewater infrastructure projects.
That’s some serious money that won’t be available to teachers, firefighters, nurses and other first responders for housing assistance. If this legislation passes, 66% of the $423 million available in the housing trust funds will go toward priorities other than housing.