By Brent Batten | Naples Daily News
Kudos
Kudos to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who in his proposed budget allocates all the money in the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund to affordable housing.
Last year the fund, supported through a tax on real estate transactions, raised about $325 million.
The money is to be split between the state and local governments to make housing more affordable through a variety of tools and incentives.
“It’s clear that Gov. DeSantis understands how important it is for the well-being of Florida’s workforce and our most vulnerable populations, including veterans and the elderly, to have housing they can afford. The governor recognizes that the Sadowski state and local housing trust fund programs are the best way for Florida to meet its enormous housing needs” said Jaimie Ross, CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition.
Kick
A kick to the Florida Legislature for routinely diverting the trust fund money to other uses.
Last year, the Legislature allocated $125 million from the Sadowski Fund to the general fund, $115 million to Hurricane Michael recovery and $85 million toward affordable housing.
“The Sadowski Coalition encourages the Legislature to follow the governor’s lead, which is supported by virtually every constituency in the state, by appropriating all of the housing trust fund money for Florida’s housing programs,” Ross added.
The Sadowski Coalition is a nonpartisan collection of more than 32 statewide organizations involved in affordable housing efforts.
Kudos
Kudos to Collier County’s hospice and palliative caregivers.
Collier County commissioners have recognized November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.
Nationally last year, more than 1.49 million Medicare beneficiaries living with a life-limiting illness, and their families, received care from approximately 6,215 hospice and palliative care programs in communities throughout the U.S. Last year in Collier County more than 2,220 people living with serious or life-limiting illness were cared for by hospice employees and volunteers
Kudos
Kudos to Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala, the recipient of the 2019 Transportation Disadvantaged William G. and Budd Bell Lifetime Achievement Award.
Fiala has served as the chair of the Collier County Local Coordinating Board (LCB) for Transportation Disadvantaged for 17 years, making her one of the longest-serving chairs of a local coordinating board statewide.
She was recognized for her advocacy, ensuring that the transportation disadvantaged population in Collier County has access to services that improve quality of life. During the economic downturn, she remained a champion for those who needed special transportation the most.
During the 40th Annual Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Award Program, the Florida CTD presented the award to Fiala.