The Sadowski Coalition, a diverse collaboration of 25 statewide organizations, was disappointed to see that Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed budget diverts from affordable housing more than half the money in the trust fund for this initiative. The governor's plan calls for taking $101 million from the fund.
By not allocating the $101 million in the trust fund for affordable housing, Crist is essentially forfeiting 7,700 new jobs and $775 million in economic activity for the state.
It is shortsighted to divert housing trust funds when Florida needs all the help it can get to recover economically. Housing trust fund monies can be used to move existing housing stock by providing down-payment and closing cost assistance, and preserve existing affordable rental housing through rehabilitation. Using housing trust fund money on housing creates jobs directly and throughout the retail economy.
Hopefully, the Legislature will reject the suggestion to sweep housing trust fund monies. Florida's economy needs all of the money collected in the affordable housing trust fund to be allocated for housing programs.
Floridians' jobs, homes and economy depend on it.
JAIMIE ROSS
Tallahassee
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