RELEASE: Sadowski Coalition Commends Governor Scott for Taking Lead on Funding for Housing
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jaimie Ross, ross@flhousing.org, 850.212.0587
Sadowski Coalition Commends Governor Scott for Taking Lead on Funding for Housing
Affordable Housing Advocates Encouraged by Governor’s Recommendation for SHIP Funding
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Sadowski Housing Coalition commends Governor Rick Scott today for recommending $50 million to fund the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program in his recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14.
“The Sadowski Coalition is extremely pleased and encouraged to learn that Governor Scott has taken the lead on using dedicated revenue in Florida’s housing trust funds for SHIP, which is in critical need,” said Jaimie Ross, facilitator for the Sadowski Coalition and president of the Florida Housing Coalition. “If the monies dedicated for housing are used for their intended purpose, Florida is able to help the economy, while providing safe, affordable housing for Florida’s workforce and its most vulnerable populations, including the homeless, children, veterans, and the frail elderly.”
“The increasing strength of Florida’s housing market continues to help the state’s economy rebuild,” said Dean Asher, 2013 Florida Realtors president and broker-owner with Don Asher & Associates, Inc., in Orlando. “The housing recovery is putting people back to work in much-needed jobs, stimulating local spending and revitalizing communities. For Governor Scott to advocate setting aside $50 million to support crucial housing programs is a significant step, and one that realtors across Florida fully support.”
“The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops applauds the Governor’s budget allocation for SHIP,” said Sheila Hopkins, director for Social Concerns/Respect Life for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops. “This allocation will enable vulnerable populations to access housing, one of the basic needs for life.”
“The Sadowski Coalition is comprised of 25 statewide organizations, representing millions of Floridians with a diverse and broad range of interests,” said Ross. “The one thing we all agree on is that Florida’s housing trust fund monies should be used for housing. We look forward to working with the legislature to continue on the path of progress, set forth by Governor Scott, toward using housing trust fund dollars for housing.”
The Sadowski Housing Coalition was formed in 1991 with the goal of obtaining a dedicated revenue source for Florida’s affordable housing programs. Today, it is a collection of 25 nonpartisan, statewide organizations, which include business and industry groups, advocates for the elderly, low income housing advocates, planning and growth management organizations, and faith-based organizations, demonstrating a wide breadth of support across all industries in the State of Florida.
For more information on the Sadowski Coalition and its efforts, please visit www.sadowskicoalition.org