The DeSantis administration has a signature housing bill. Florida has $711 million in funding for housing programs. Local governments have less power over zoning.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 102 bill at the end of March, providing final approval for a new law that would prohibit rent control statewide, in addition to other measures.
According to an article published by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, the bill, known as the “Live Local Act,” is intended to ease the state’s rising housing prices and lack of affordable housing by doubling “[funding] housing and rental programs, [providing] incentives for investment in affordable housing and [encouraging] mixed-use developments in struggling commercial areas.”
“But the new law (SB 102) has drawn criticism from some groups because it will bar local rent controls and pre-empt local government rules on zoning, density and building heights in certain circ*mstances,” according to the article. “Among other things, the bill will create tax exemptions for developments that set aside at least 70 units for affordable housing and will speed permits and development orders for affordable-housing projects.”
SB 102 includes $711 million for housing programs, including “$252 million for the longstanding State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP, program; $150 million a year to the State Apartment Incentive Loan, or SAIL, program; and an additional $100 million for the Hometown Heroes program, which is designed to help teachers, health-care workers and police officers buy homes.”
Reason magazine also picked up the news of the bill’s signing, noting that it’s hard to predict how strictly the new state law will override local powers. “Requiring that 40 percent of units be below-market-rate units is quite high. But a 120 percent AMI income threshold allows for much higher rents than most inclusionary zoning policies, which typically require housing be affordable for those making 80 percent or less of the AMI,” writes Christian Brischgi for Reason.
More news coverage is also available from Click Orlando. WTSP explained the great rent control debate—some economists argue that rent control contributes to rising rents in the long run—a few days after the law was signed.
FULL STORY: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 'Live Local Act,' which bans rent control and gives tax breaks to developers
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
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The article you mentioned revolves around various key concepts in urban development, housing policy, and governance. Here's a breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article:
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DeSantis Administration & SB 102: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 102, known as the "Live Local Act." This act focuses on addressing the rising housing prices and lack of affordable housing in Florida. It prohibits rent control statewide and introduces measures to encourage investment in affordable housing and mixed-use developments.
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Housing Funding: The Live Local Act allocates $711 million for housing programs. This funding includes $252 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program, $150 million annually for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program, and an additional $100 million for the Hometown Heroes program aimed at assisting teachers, health-care workers, and police officers in purchasing homes.
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Local Government Authority: The new law limits local government control over zoning, density, and building heights in certain circ*mstances. It also offers tax exemptions for developments that reserve at least 70 units for affordable housing and expedites permits for affordable-housing projects.
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Criticism & Debate: The law has drawn criticism for its implications, such as barring local rent controls and pre-empting local government rules. There's a debate about how strictly the state law will override local powers. Economists also argue about the impact of rent control on rising rents in the long run.
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Affordable Housing Measures: The law introduces criteria for developments to qualify for tax exemptions, with a focus on providing affordable housing units. It sets a 40% below-market-rate unit requirement but allows higher rents with a 120% Area Median Income (AMI) threshold.
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Media Coverage & Perspectives: Various news outlets, including Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Reason magazine, and Click Orlando, have covered the implications and debates surrounding SB 102. Reason magazine highlighted the income threshold and inclusionary zoning policies' comparison, shedding light on differing perspectives about the law's effects.
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Related Concepts and Examples: The article references other housing-related news and events from different states like California, New York, Colorado, and Texas. These include discussions about rent control rejection in California, fights against state preemption in various cities, housing proposals, zoning reforms, transit ridership, nuclear plant extensions, environmental laws, and efforts to tackle housing crises in ski towns.
Understanding these concepts involves familiarity with urban development policies, housing affordability, government interventions, local versus state control, rent control implications, and diverse perspectives in housing policy debates.
