Early Wins in 2015 Legislative Session Benefit Affordable Housing Funds, Fair Housing Process

Just three weeks into the 2015 legislative session that began on March 3, the FAA has seen two legislative victories: one for affordable housing and one regarding fair housing complaints. 

Protecting the dedicated revenue source for Florida’s affordable housing programs is one of FAA’s main legislative priorities for 2015. Voter approval of state constitutional Amendment One in November, which calls for using a portion of documentary stamp funds for environmental programs, potentially threatened funding for housing programs, which also comes from doc stamps. 

A Senate bill on Amendment One implementation, SB 586, has been amended to protect all affordable housing monies. When affordable housing is properly funded, it stimulates Florida's economy, creating $3 billion in positive economic impact annually by creating jobs. Additionally, keeping affordable housing funded decreases the need for inclusionary zoning. 

A recent news report on WFTV focused on the need for affordable housing in Central Florida, and quoted Courtney Barnard, FAA’s government affairs director. Barnard expressed the FAA’s concern about the effects on affordable housing if funds were diverted to environmental programs. Click to view the clip.

In a second legislative victory for FAA and its members, potentially damaging language has been removed from House Bill 439 by Rep. Eric Eisnaugle. The bill would have changed the process for filing a fair housing complaint and would have allowed residents to seek litigation before using any administrative remedies. This bill would have put those who operate rental units at greater risk of being drawn into a civil suit regarding fair housing by negating administrative remedies. 

The FAA is also working for expansion of the repairs that can be legally performed by maintenance professionals. The priorities were selected by FAA members at the Legislative Platform meeting in December, and in February more than 150 FAA members from across Florida gathered in Tallahassee to present our issues to legislators.

FAA will continue throughout the legislative session to monitor legislative activity and work with lawmakers to advocate for our industry and to fight proposed legislation that could be harmful. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Courtney Barnard, FAA government affairs director at Courtney@faahq.org.