May 2017 Archives

EDITORIALS

Affordable housing: Florida’s quiet crisis

May 20, 2017  |  Sun Sentinel

As housing costs rise and incomes stagnate, the nagging shortage of affordable housing is fast becoming a crisis. The lack of apartments and homes available to Americans of low to moderate income is a nationwide problem, but South Florida feels it more acutely than all but a few metro areas.

Hardest hit are the homeless and borderline poor who pose multi-layered challenges to policymakers. But lack of affordability — housing within reach of solidly middle class families — presents a problem of another sort entirely.
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Long state legislative session came up short

May 13, 2017  |  Naples Daily News

The long and short of the 2017 legislative session is that it went long and came up short for Southwest Florida. Let’s count 10 ways:

1. The session spilled over a weekend to Monday to finish an $83 billion spending package. Legislative leaders chose secretive final negotiations that prompted Gov. Rick Scott to say, “I have no earthly idea what’s in this budget.” Citizens — not to mention the state’s chief executive — should expect transparency on the budget. Approving a budget was one of two must-do matters for the tardy 2017 Legislature.
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NEWS ARTICLES

Bay-area residents desperate for affordable housing

May 2, 2017  |  Tampa Bay 10 News

The need for affordable housing in the Bay Area continues to get worse. Right now, more than 20,000 people are on the Tampa Housing Authority’s wait list.

Tamara Correa, her son, daughter, and grandson are running out of options. When 10 News met them, they were staying in a hotel thanks to a church donation.

“I’m very thankful for them that she did come out, bring us a check, so at least we don’t be you know, in the streets,” said Tamara Correa.
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