State Housing POlicy


State legislative update

May 9, 2011


Housing advocates have had an exhausting roller coaster ride this session but in spite of the harrowing ride, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. What could have been one of the most disastrous sessions ever for affordable housing ended with one key victory and some compromises that will at least keep our dedicated funding stream in plac, though not flowing at the current time. Here are the highlights:

The cap IS finally scrapped.....

It took five years and a dedicated effort on the part of housing advocates including the Sadowski Housing Coalition, but the Legislature finally voted to remove the $243 million cap on funds deposited in the state's housing trust fund. Doc stamps are collected every time a real estate transaction occurs and in the past, the distribution to the trust fund was capped at receiving $243 million regardless of how much was actually collected. Although the cap is not an issue in the current economy, it is estimated that the trust fund will be receiving over $300 million per year by the end of the decade so now was the time to protect these funds.

There is still a housing trust fund....
The fact that we have a trust fund to protect is a miracle in itself. Many times during the session it seemed as though this dedicated funding source was doomed. Both the House and Senate actually passed bills that would have redirected all doc stamp allocations. The Senate would have directed all funding to General Revenue while the House would have put all funds into a new SEED trust fund for economic development. A final budget compromise does include a $75 million redirection into the SEED trust fund beginning in FY2012-13 but does keep the housing trust fund intact. The SEED funds also have housing as an allowable use but housing advocates will have to make a strong case for getting funds allocated for that purpose.

No housing allocation this fiscal year but.....
No funding was appropriated in FY 2011-12 but the Florida Housing Finance Corporation does have $64 million in unspent funds which can be used for state and local housing programs.

 

State Public Policy Resource Websites

 

Non-profit Housing Advocates Network

This program is run through Florida Housing Coalition and meet via conference call every two weeks during session – it is a great way to keep up.  Any non-profit can join and participate in the calls.  The website link for more information and to join is http://www.flhousing.org/florida-nonprofit-housing-advocates-network

 

Florida Senate Bill Tracker

This website can keep you up to date with bills in the Florida Senate.   You can track any bill and it will give you updates (you choose the frequency) whenever any action is taken on the bill (referred to committee, amended, voted on, etc.).  The website link to sign-up and login is at http://www.flsenate.gov/login/

 

Florida Senate Session Information Page

This is another page on the Senate website which gives all the information needed on the session (how to search bills, the calendar, journal of bill activity, etc).  The link to that website page is at http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/

 

 

Florida Sunshine News

An online publication that covers state news:  http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/

 

Housing Wire RSS

An online RSS  to get up-to-date housing information and news  – you can subscribe at http://www.housingwire.com/rss-feeds