NAPLES, FLORIDA — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 102, the “Live Local Act,” representing the largest investment for housing efforts in state history. The bill invests $711 million in multiple programs to expand the availability of housing, down payment assistance and focused support for military communities.
“This legislation provides record support for Florida’s workforce and their families to help them live where they work, while also providing historic support for our military communities and the families living near military bases,” said Governor DeSantis. “I applaud Senator Passidomo for leading on this legislation and look forward to the support it will provide to Florida families.”
Housing projects and assistance through the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation (FHFC) include:
- $259 million for the SAIL program to provide low-interest loans to developers building workforce housing. Of these funds, $150 million are recurring for specified uses, such as the redevelopment of underused property and projects near military installations.
- $252 million for the SHIP program to provide local governments with incentives to build partnerships with developers who are preserving available housing or producing more housing.
- $100 million for the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program to provide down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time home buyers with a focus on law enforcement, first responders, teachers, active duty military and military veterans.
- $100 million for FHFC to implement a loan program to alleviate inflation-related cost increases for FHFC-approved housing projects.
“Today is a new day for workforce housing in the free state of Florida,” said Senator Alexis Calatayud. “The biggest housing concern we hear from young people is that there is no place for them to raise their own families in communities they grew up in, where their extended families have lived for generations. That changes today,” Calatayud stated.
The legislation will create a new tax donation program to allow corporate taxpayers to direct certain tax payments to the FHFC – up to $100 million annually – to help fund the SAIL program. Additionally, a sales tax refund of up to $5,000 is now available on building materials for housing units funded through FHFC.
