Sadowski Coalition Advocates Full Housing Funding

The Sadowski Coalition, a statewide coalition that include industry and business groups, advocates for the elderly, veterans, homeless and special needs organizations, and faith-based groups.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jan. 8, 2016 – A coalition of 30 groups that includes Florida Realtors issued a report that shows the economic benefit of Florida housing programs if the Florida Legislature fully funds all state and local housing trust funds.

The Sadowski Coalition – a statewide coalition of 30 organizations that include industry and business groups, advocates for the elderly, veterans, homeless and special needs organizations, and faith-based groups – held a press conference Thursday. Florida Realtors is part of the coalition. During the conference, the Coalition called on the Florida Legislature to use all state and local housing trust fund monies for housing in fiscal year 2016-17.

To demonstrate the "extreme need for affordable housing in Florida," the coalition released the "Home Matters Report 2016," a state-specific study based on the national "Home Matters" initiative that educates the public and policymakers about the connection between housing, health, education and the economy.

The full "Home Matters Report 2016" is available online.

"Florida Realtors is a proud member of the Sadowski Coalition," said Carrie O'Rourke, Florida Realtors vice president of public policy. "The support that the state and local housing trust funds provide makes the dream of homeownership a reality. Homes matter, not only for the individuals and families, but for our local communities and the future of our state."

O'Rourke also thanked the Legislature for last year's increased funding for affordable housing programs. "We look forward to a continued partnership with the House and Senate during the 2016 legislative session as we advocate for all housing trust fund monies to go toward housing," she said.

"As this year's 'Home Matters Report' clearly demonstrates, more than 951,000 very low-income households in Florida – those below 50 percent of median income – pay more than half of their income on housing," said Jaimie Ross, facilitator of the Sadowski Coalition, and president and CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition. "But Florida has the best model for funding and producing affordable housing in the nation, and the Florida Legislature has the opportunity to make the most of that now by appropriating all state and local housing trust fund monies for housing.

According to Ross, an appropriation of nearly $324 million into the trust funds in fiscal year 2016-17 will create more than 32,000 jobs and generate more than $4.6 billion in positive economic impact for Florida.

"The main cause of homelessness is a shortage of affordable housing," said Dr. Susan Pourciau, director of homeless training and technical assistance for the Florida Housing Coalition. "But there is a solution to homelessness – housing … the only effective and efficient way to reduce homelessness."

The Sadowski Coalition includes members such as Florida Realtors, the Florida Home Builders Association, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, the Florida Coalition for the Homeless, Florida Legal Services, Florida AARP, Florida Veterans Foundation, Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Impact and Habitat for Humanity.

For more information on the Sadowski Coalition, visit SadowskiCoalition.com or follow them at @SadowskiFL.

© 2016 Florida Realtors® All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.