TALLAHASSEE
Despite some concerns regarding issues such limiting rent controls, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s objective to make housing more affordable for employees began to move forward on Wednesday.
SB 102 would encourage private investment in affordable housing, preempt local regulations, promote mixed-use development, and outlaw rent controls.
The Living Local Act is a $711 million legislation.
Workforce housing is proposed in Florida.
- The goal is to keep housing expenses under 30% of household incomes.
- Floridians should have access to good employment, schools, hospitals, and community facilities.
- Democrats argue that the concept of affordable housing should be based on median income, with one-bedroom apartments starting at $2,200.
- The plan aims to address the affordable housing crisis.
- Investing in affordable housing requires accountability.
- The Florida Apartment Association and Florida Realtors sued to prevent municipal rent controls from going into effect.
- The Florida AFL-CIO is taking a second look at paid sick leave after the Legislature preempted it.
- The Legislature passed a law in 2013 prohibiting local governments from establishing sick leave requirements.
- Rent regulation would hinder Orange County’s affordability efforts.
- Supply is the only solution to housing shortage, rising costs, and rent hikes.
- The proposed legislation would transfer $150 million annually in documentary stamp tax receipts to the State Housing Trust Fund, with 70% going to military installations and 30% to affordable housing.
- SHIP and SAIL programs would increase access to affordable housing.
- The Hometown Heroes program would receive an additional $100 million.
- Hometown Heroes’ funding is at half its capacity.
- An additional $100 million would be set aside to account for inflation.
- Affordable housing is included in the state budget, with $209 million going to SHIP.
- The measure aims to loosen local restrictions on multi-family developments.
- A “missing middle” incentive would grant tax exemptions to renters with specific income requirements.
- Developers may be eligible for property tax discounts when providing affordable housing.
- HB 627 has been filed for the upcoming legislative session.