February 2018 Archives
EDITORIALS
Scott, House need to join Senate in protecting affordable housing trust funds
February 23, 2018 | Orlando Sentinel
There might be no broader coalition in Tallahassee than the one that supports full funding for affordable-housing programs in Florida.
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Protect Florida’s valuable housing, coastline and orange industry
February 13, 2018 | The Florida Times-Union Jacksonville
Gov. Rick Scott rode to election success in Florida with this mantra: Jobs, jobs, jobs.
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Tuesday’s Editorial: Protect Florida’s valuable housing, coastline and orange industry
Tuesday’s Editorial: Protect Florida’s valuable housing, coastline and orange industryFebruary 13, 2018 | The Florida Times-Union Jacksonville By: Times-Union Editorial Board Gov. Rick Scott rode to election success in Florida with this mantra: Jobs, jobs, jobs. And…
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Senate gets it on housing needs
February 5, 2018 | Ocala Star Banner
Budget recommendations emerging in the Florida Legislature suggest the Senate wants to restore public trust in the state’s housing trust funds.
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Don’t starve affordable housing, higher education and conservation in the state budget
February 2, 2018 | Orlando Sentinel
Looking only at the bottom lines in the two budget blueprints unveiled recently by the Florida Senate and House, it might appear the two chambers are almost in sync. The Senate would spend $87.3 billion in the fiscal year that begins July 1, and the House would spend $87.2 billion — a gap of about a tenth of 1 percent.
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OP-EDS & LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Art Stockwell: Increase availability of affordable housing
February 15, 2018 | The Gainesville Sun
The Gainesville For All housing team made recommendations aimed at improving the quality, quantity and availability of affordable housing in Alachua County.
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NEWS ARTICLES
Legislative raids on housing trust fund hurt the poor
February 22, 2018 | Capital Outlook
Legislatively mandated tax cuts beginning around 2007, without regard for losses in revenue to meet state’s needs, has led to regular raids on state trust funds to fill holes left in the state budget. One of those funds is the State Housing Trust Fund created by the William E. Sadowski Act of 1992 to provide a dedicated funding source for affordable housing needs throughout the state.
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Legislators say affordable housing trust fund sweeps are hurting Puerto Ricans
February 20, 2018 | Politico
TALLAHASSEE — Hispanic legislators on Tuesday called on the state to provide affordable housing for Hurricane Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico and end sweeps of an affordable housing trust fund.
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End money grab that crimps affordable housing
February 18, 2018 | Orlando Sentinel
The Florida Legislature can reverse a long trend of budget hijinks keeping many workers from affordable housing — and it’s not strictly housing for poor people. If you spend more than 30 percent of your income on rent or for a mortgage, your housing is unaffordable.
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House OKs affordable housing bill, eliminate impact fees and rekindles developer fight
February 13, 2018 | Politico
TALLAHASSEE — Sweeping affordable housing legislation proposed after Hurricane Irma devastated the industry was loaded up with a series of amendments on Tuesday that could help win support and stir controversy.
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Advocates Say Puerto Rican Crisis Is Reason To Take Affordable Housing Seriously
February 12, 2018 | WFSU
Amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Maria’s devastating effects on Puerto Rico, Florida lawmakers believe the State has been inactive when tackling the issue of Puerto Rican refugees. This has opened the floodgates for an issue Florida has been dealing with for years.
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Florida House and Senate pass similar-sized budgets, but fights are ahead
February 9, 2018 | Tampa Bay Times
Both sides are philosophically opposed about how to fund schools, hospitals and affordable housing.
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Brewster Bevis: Affordable housing good for Florida business, economy
February 8, 2018 | Florida Politics
Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development and welfare of industry, business and the people of the state, which is why we are proud to be one of the 30 statewide organizations that make up the Sadowski Coalition.
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House, Senate pass $87B budgets, setting stage for budget negotiations
February 8, 2018 | Politico
TALLAHASSEE — The House and Senate both passed their proposed spending plans Thursday, setting the stage for final budget negotiations at the legislative session’s midpoint.
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Lawmakers loot trust fund for affordable housing
February 6, 2018 | Orlando Sentinel
The Florida Legislature is cutting short its help for affordable housing, diverting tens of millions of dollars each year from a trust fund meant to aid such housing developments.
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Lawmaker works to protect low-income housing funds
February 4, 2018 | Bay News 9
TAMPA — A Florida lawmaker is taking steps to ensure state money set aside for affordable housing is earmarked for that purpose.
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Will there be another raid on affordable housing funds? Yes, say House Republicans.
February 3, 2018 | Tampa Bay Times
For the first time in 17 years, the Florida Senate proposes spending all of the money the state earmarks for affordable housing to build apartments and homes for families that spend more than half their income on housing. The House wants to put the money into other priorities.
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Will there be another raid on affordable housing funds? House says yes.
February 2, 2018 | Miami Herald
Hurricanes Irma and Maria decimated housing stock in the Florida Keys, left hundreds homeless and brought thousands more to Florida from Puerto Rico, but those hoping to use the money the state has set aside to construct affordable housing are going to face a battle again this year. The Florida House says it’s not a priority.
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Florida Facing Affordable Housing Crisis
February 2, 2018 | WUSF
In the wake of natural disasters, stagnant wages and a growing separation of wealth, Florida is suffering from an affordable housing catastrophe and concern is growing statewide.
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Florida Facing Affordable Housing Crisis
February 1, 2018 | WFSU
In the wake of natural disasters, stagnant wages and a growing separation of wealth, Florida is suffering from an affordable housing catastrophe and concern is growing statewide.
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Florida Facing Affordable Housing Crisis
Febuary 1, 2018 | WLRN
In the wake of natural disasters, stagnant wages and a growing separation of wealth, Florida is suffering from an affordable housing catastrophe and concern is growing statewide.
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