Gov. Scott signs workforce housing bill TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – June 4, 2013 – Gov. Rick Scott signed SB 1852 into law today at 11 a.m. The bill created by Sen. Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) came out of the 2013 Florida Legislature and outlines the way Florida will allocate $200 million it received from the large national mortgage settlement. Nationwide, states and homeowners received $25 billion from the February 2012 state and federal settlement with five banks that allegedly foreclosed on homes without a notary public involved and without fully confirming the facts. “This is a huge win for Florida’s struggling families,” says Marion Briggs, chair of Florida Realtors Attainable/Workforce Housing Subcommittee. “We made this bill a top priority in 2013, and I’d like to thank the Florida Legislature, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Governor Scott for their support. I’m particularly pleased that aid will go to the SHIP program, most of which will repair existing homes and help with downpayments. Overall, these funds address diversified segments of the population and will benefit many Floridians in need of assistance.” SB 1852 money allocations $40 million for the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP). Local governments rely on SHIP to fund affordable housing assistance. $60 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan Program (SAIL). SAIL subsidizes rents and funds new construction. Of the $60 million going to SHIP, $25 million is reserved for the elderly. $21.2 million is earmarked for state courts to enable them to hire more senior judges and staff, and to upgrade needed technology to help move Florida’s foreclosure backlog through the court system. $20 million for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat buys or renovates homes for low-income families that commit “sweat equity” as part of the arrangement. $10 million to provide housing for the homeless. $10 million for grants to house Floridians with development disabilities. $10 million for legal aid to help homeowners in foreclosure. $10 million for domestic violence shelters. $9.7 million to the clerks of court to speed foreclosures. $9.1 million for student dormitory housing under the state’s Prepaid Tuition program. The bill is effective as soon as the mortgage settlement money is deposited in Florida’s general revenue fund. © 2013 Florida Realtors®
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:50:45 +0000
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