February 2016 Archives
EDITORIALS
Florida needs housing first for homeless: Where we stand
February 5, 2016 | Orlando Sentinel
Central Florida has been leading the way in reducing chronic homelessness in the Sunshine State. Now a smart proposal in the Legislature would reinforce this region’s effort, and give more communities across Florida the means to follow suit. The legislation would help local governments get more homeless people off the streets — and out of tents, cars and seedy motels — into stable housing while their other needs, such as counseling and job training, are addressed. The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness has successfully adopted this strategy, known as housing first.
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Editorial: Florida’s affordable-housing programs need money
February 5, 2016 | Pensacola News Journal
Add us to the list of groups and organizations asking the state Legislature to fully fund this year’s request for affordable housing.Last week, the Senate did the right thing by allowing full funding — about $317 million — for the SHIP/Housing Trust Fund and the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program for next year’s budget. SHIP is the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program. It funds housing programs in all 67 counties. The SAIL money can be used to rehab apartments that desperately need repair or to build new units, that house “Florida’s most vulnerable populations, such as the frail, elderly and persons with disabilities,” the Sadowski Housing Coalition said in information they provided during a visit to the News Journal Editorial Board before the legislative session began.
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Editorial: Renew the commitment to affordable housing
February 2, 2016 | Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Tallahassee, The Florida Senate’s proposed budget for 2016-17 would help restore some trust in the Legislature’s use of funds dedicated to affordable housing.What about the tentative budgets offered by the House of Representatives and Gov. Rick Scott? Not so much.The Senate recently decided to allocate all available housing trust monies — some $317 million — to housing in the next budget year.
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OP-EDS & LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Steve Bahmer: Legislature Must Provide Sufficient Money for Housing for Seniors
February 24, 2016 | Clay Today
It’s no secret that Florida has a high population of seniors. The quintessential Florida lifestyle has long been a favorite of retirees. But as we age, we encounter new expenses ranging from medical bills to unexpected home repairs, leaving many who are on fixed incomes at risk of losing their home or in search of affordable housing.
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Steve Bahmer: Legislature Must Provide Sufficient Money for Housing for Seniors
February 18, 2016 | Context Florida
It’s no secret that Florida has a high population of seniors. The quintessential Florida lifestyle has long been a favorite of retirees. But as we age, we encounter new expenses ranging from medical bills to unexpected home repairs, leaving many who are on fixed incomes at risk of losing their home or in search of affordable housing.
Read More>
NEWS ARTICLES
Florida needs housing first for homeless: Where we stand
February 5, 2016 | Orlando Sentinel
Central Florida has been leading the way in reducing chronic homelessness in the Sunshine State. Now a smart proposal in the Legislature would reinforce this region’s effort, and give more communities across Florida the means to follow suit. The legislation would help local governments get more homeless people off the streets — and out of tents, cars and seedy motels — into stable housing while their other needs, such as counseling and job training, are addressed. The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness has successfully adopted this strategy, known as housing first.
Read More>