Affordable Housing

Lawmakers passed laws on guns, housing, education and a slate of bills that could help Gov. DeSantis if he runs for president.

Community organizers are worried the two housing bills — HB 1417 and HB 133— will harm renters.

They include laws on abortion, affordable housing, the death penalty, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues.

It includes a $1.3 billion tax package backed by Gov. DeSantis. Democrats say the session did not address issues such as high insurance rates, skyrocketing rent costs and unaffordable health care.

Sadaf Knight, Florida Policy Institute's CEO, says the Live Local Act is a step in the right direction, but more still needs to be done to address affordable housing.

On this week's Florida Roundup, we discuss legislation working its way through the Florida Legislature that could affect pride parades, protections for people who rent, and hemp-related businesses.

Legislators have already passed bills that allow for permitless gun garry, and allowing every student to be eligible for taxpayer-funded school vouchers.

The 60-day legislative session hits the halfway mark this week.

The “Live Local Act” will more than double funding for housing and rental programs, and provide incentives for developments in struggling commercial areas.

Almost 2,900 eligible St. Petersburg communities and property owners have the option to convert their home or build up into four residences on a typical sized single-family lot.

Among other things, the “Live Local Act” bill would create tax exemptions for developments that set aside at least 70 units for affordable housing and would speed permits and development orders for affordable-housing projects.

Around 1,400 parishioners representing 24 churches and one mosque in the greater Tampa Bay region gathered on Monday evening to call attention to actionable issues in the community, including criminal justice reform, climate issues and housing solutions.