December 2015 Archives
Editorial: With great opportunity for a prosperous 2016, one top issue emerges
January 2, 2016 | Naples Daily News
During the past week, we’ve outlined six issues so far that we believe will help guide Southwest Florida toward a prosperous 2016.
We’ve called for creating a clear strategy for economic diversification so Collier County can survive the next boom-bust cycle. We’ve urged taxpayer-supported agencies to come together on the best way to provide high-quality, yet reasonably affordable, firefighting and emergency medical response.
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Legislators must step up in push for affordable housing
December 26, 2015 | Orlando Sentinel
The United Way of Florida released a report on ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — last year, which unveiled the true scope of financial hardship in Florida. The report found that while 15 percent of Florida households fall beneath the poverty line, an additional 30 percent of Florida households experience severe financial strain despite being active in the labor force. That means that 45 percent — 3.2 million Florida households — are struggling to support themselves and their families.
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Stop raids on housing trust funds
December 23, 2015 | Orlando Sentinel
Lately Florida is setting the pace for America on jobs. Figures released last week, and touted with justifiable pride by Gov. Rick Scott, show the Sunshine State led the nation in employment growth in November.But when it comes to affordable housing, Florida is lagging behind. Nearly a third of renters in the state spend more than half their incomes on housing — the largest share in the nation, according to a recent report from Enterprise Community Partners. Many of those Floridians could wind up homeless simply by missing a paycheck or suffering another financial setback.
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Use Florida’s housing trust funds for their designed purpose
December 14, 2015 | Tampa Tribune
Florida has become the nation’s toughest state for renters, with California and New York trailing closely behind. According to the recently-released “Make Room” report by Enterprise Community Partners, Florida has the largest share of renters — 31 percent — who spend more than half of their income on housing.
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Affordability squeeze means “housing crisis” for Palm Beach County, advocate says
December 11, 2015 | Palm Beach Post Blog
Palm Beach County’s property market has bounced back from the Great Recession, but there’s a dark side to robust price increases and a tight rental market. “We have a housing crisis,” said Jaimie Ross, head of the Florida Housing Coalition, a nonprofit based in Tallahassee.
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Fully fund Florida’s Sadowski affordable housing program
December 9, 2015 | Bradenton Herald
Gov. Rick Scott promotes a razor-sharp focus on job creation yet his state budget proposal for fiscal 2016-2017 sweeps millions out of a housing trust fund that with a full allocation would create an estimated 32,000 jobs statewide — well-paying construction work, not minimum-wage service jobs. The Sadowski Trust Fund, established in 1992 from dedicated state revenue collected on the documentary stamp tax paid on all real estate transactions, continues to be diverted away from its mission, affordable housing, especially in low-income neighborhoods.
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Commentary: Fla. leads nation in bad, good news for affordable housing
December 9, 2015 | Palm Beach Post
Florida has become the nation’s toughest state for renters, with California and New York trailing closely behind. According to the recently released “Make Room” report by Enterprise Community Partners, Florida has the largest share of renters – 31 percent – who spend more than half of their income on housing.
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Florida Voices: Help Floridians find homes
December 9, 2015 | Daytona Beach News Journal
Florida has become the nation’s toughest state for renters, with California and New York trailing closely behind. According to the recently released “Make Room” report by Enterprise Community Partners, Florida has the largest share of renters – 31 percent – who spend more than half of their income on housing.
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Editorial: Ensuring local housing is affordable
December 6, 2015 | The Gainesville Sun
A lack of affordable housing illustrates the inequalities that exist in Gainesville. As low-income families compete for limited housing subsidies, upscale housing complexes compete to attract the most affluent University of Florida students. New complexes offer amenities such as high-end appliances, hot tubs and even a lazy river.
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Editorial: Invest $1 billion in crucial services
December 6, 2015 | Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Florida is a low-tax state, having been ranked 48th in per capita state tax collections. Gov. Rick Scott told the Legislature last week that he wants the state to go even lower. Scott made an unusual appearance before the House Finance and Tax Committee to promote his proposal for more than $1 billion in tax cuts, all but $119 million of which are aimed at businesses.
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Sunday’s Lead Letter: Affordable housing trust funds need to be used
December 4, 2015 | The Florida Time Union
Florida has become the nation’s toughest state for renters with California and New York close behind. According to the recently released “Make Room” report by Enterprise Community Partners, Florida has the largest share of renters — 31 percent — who spend more than half of their income on housing.
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Jaimie Ross: Florida leads in bad and good housing news
December 3, 2015 | The Gainesville Sun
Florida has become the nation’s toughest state for renters, with California and New York trailing closely behind. According to the recently-released “Make Room” report by Enterprise Community Partners, Florida has the largest share of renters — 31 percent — who spend more than half of their income on housing.
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