Affordable housing programs, homeless, housing projects funded

Jaimie Ross, organizer of the Sadowski Coalition, informed local Historic City News reporters that affordable housing programs received a significant boost in Florida’s nearly $79 billion budget which passed Wednesday afternoon, June 17, 2015.

In a statement issued soon after the House approved the General Appropriations Act of 2015, Ross, who serves as president of the Florida Housing Coalition, celebrated the $175 million from Florida’s housing trust funds toward housing.

“On behalf of the Sadowski Coalition, I applaud the Florida Legislature for passing a state budget that appropriates $175 million from Florida’s housing trust funds to be used for Florida’s excellent housing programs,” Ross said.

The budget also includes $8.3 million for homeless and other housing projects.

Proposed funding in the 2015-2016 budget represents approximately 68 percent of the total $256 million available from the Sadowski Trust Fund, Ross noted.

“We look forward to working with both the Senate and House toward fully funding affordable housing next legislative session.”

After being signed by Governor Rick Scott – with line-item vetoes widely expected by many – the budget will go into effect July 1st, the start of Florida’s new Fiscal Year.