Senate President Kathleen Passidomo in Florida has made it a priority to try making housing more affordable.
There are some questions about the proposals that she is pushing for. Still, many have stated that they believe that the work that she is doing alongside Republicans may make it possible to achieve her stated goals of genuinely keeping the housing prices in the area reasonable.
Orlando Weekly reports that the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed the legislation proposed by Passidomo without objection. This legislation would encourage private investments in affordable housing and overrule specific zoning laws related to the height and density of buildings in some instances. This might make it possible to build more affordable housing for those who genuinely need it.
The bill is known as the Live Local Act, and has an estimated cost of $711 million.
Community Affairs Chairwoman Alexis Calatayud is a Republican member of the Florida legislature and says that the ultimate aim of the bill is to ensure that housing costs do not rise above 30% of the average citizens monthly income. If this is possible, keep prices under control for virtually everyone who wants to get housing in the area.
Calatayud said the following about it: We need to make sure Floridians can live close to good jobs, schools, hospitals and the critical centers of their communities in a way that fits comfortably within their household budgets.
However, Democrats are getting in the way by insisting that the definition of affordable housing be set at 120 percent of the median income for an area. This would have different massive impacts on the affordability of housing in different parts of the state. For example, the Democrats definition of affordable would be $2,200 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in Miami.
Not all Democrats are standing in the way, though. Sen. Lori Berman, D-Delray Beach, stated that the proposal by Passidomo is an excellent step in the right direction toward providing affordable housing for people throughout the Sunshine State.
Some Democrats have questioned the wisdom of denying the states ability to control rent. However, despite their objections, most lawmakers in the state seem ready to move this legislation forward. If that is how it goes, many Florida residents might soon see more favorable rules regarding affordable housing.
Login