Funding Update

No funding update for this week as we await the budget subcommittee’s initial budgets for Sadowski Trust Fund Programs. The primary focus for the Sadowski Coalition remains ensuring that all funds allocated to Florida’s Sadowski Housing Trust Funds are used for their intended purpose—supporting the SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) and SAIL (State Apartment Incentive Loan) programs. The estimated funding available for SHIP and SAIL in the 2025 budget is $406.18 million, based on revenue estimates from last August. A final revenue estimate is expected soon, which will refine these numbers. Additional proposed housing allocations from the Governor’s budget include:

1. $100 million for the Hometown Heroes housing programs.
2. $127 million for My Safe Florida Home Progra
3. $100 million in corporate tax donations directed to SAIL
4. $32.4 million for base funding for homeless programs

The House and Senate Subcommittees that work on housing funding issues are expected to introduce their initial budget proposals soon, giving a clearer picture of where funding for housing programs will stand.

Bills Heard This Week

SB 110 (Simon) – Increasing the minimum allocation for SHIP counties from $350,000 to $1 million

SB 110 passed its final committee assignment in the Senate as the Senate President’s main priority this legislative session. The House counterpart has yet to be heard.

SB 184 (Gaetz)/HB 247 (Conerly) – Requiring Cities and Counties to allow ADUs in all Single-Family Districts

This week, SB 184 passed its second of three committee assignments unanimously and HB 247 passed its first of three committee assignments. Both bills would amend Florida’s ADU statute at s. 163.31771 to require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all areas zoned for single-family residential use (except in PUDs or a master planned community). Both bills also prohibit local governments from requiring an additional parking space for an ADU and require local governments to approve an ADU that is a manufactured home.

However, the bills are not yet identical so certain differences are yet to be resolved. SB 184 also makes clear that a homeowner would not lose their homestead exemption if they rent an ADU on the property, prohibits local owner-occupancy requirements, and prevents ADUs from being leased for less than one month. The House version has yet to incorporate these additional policies but still has two committee stops before it makes it to the House floor.

SB 1242 (McClain)/HB 991 (Giallombardo) – Preventing CRAs from initiating any new projects on or after October 1, 2025

SB 1242 and HB 991 both passed their first committee assignments this week. These bills, which are currently identical, would prevent Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) from initiating any new projects or issuing any new debt on or after October 1, 2025. The Florida Housing Coalition is following these bills as CRAs are a very valuable tool in providing funding and land for affordable housing. If these bills were to pass as currently written, CRAs would not be able to fund new affordable housing projects starting later this year.

HB 1015 (Hunschofsky)/SB 948 (Bradley) – Requiring Flood Disclosures for

Bills to Watch Next Week

1. House Bill 943 and Senate Bill 1730 – this Session’s vehicle for land use policies related to affordable housing – are expected to be heard as early as Week 3 of session in their first respective committee assignments.
2. House Bill 923 and Senate Bill 1594 – this Session’s vehicle for tax policies related to affordable housing – are expected to be heard in committee soon.
3. Senate Bill 1118 will be first heard in Senate Community Affairs on March 17^th and contains policies related to infill development, among other land use topics.
4. Senate Bills 420 and 1710 related to DEI policies.

What’s Next?

With the session moving at a fast pace, the next couple of weeks will be crucial for determining the appropriations for housing programs and whether various legislative proposals gain traction. The House and Senate will begin shaping their respective budgets, and additional amendments to key housing bills are expected.

Join us for the next Sadowski Affiliates webinar scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, where we will track the latest legislative developments and any potential calls to action for housing advocates. Register here to be a part of the Sadowski Affiliates webinars.