TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020, in Tallahassee. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Thursday, January 23, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: City Centre Building
             1st Floor Conference Room 
             227 N. Bronough Street
             Tallahassee, FL 32301
 
For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

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TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is proud to announce numerous housing accomplishments in the first year of Governor Ron DeSantis taking office.

“Florida Housing greatly appreciates the support and leadership that Governor Ron DeSantis has provided - from full funding statewide in both of his proposed budgets for housing, to hurricane recovery housing for affected families,” said Florida Housing Executive Director Trey Price. “As the state’s housing finance agency, Florida Housing works every day to help Florida families attain housing options that are affordable to them. With the resources that are entrusted to us, Florida Housing can continue to provide assistance for Florida’s growing and diverse needs.”

2019 accomplishments:

Homeownership

• Assisted 4,603 Florida homebuyers purchased their first home
 
• Provided more than $719 Million in first mortgage loans
 
• Provided more than $45.2 Million in down payment and closing cost assistance

Rental Housing

• Awarded 37 developments with funding to build rental housing across the state   
 
• A total of 2,284 units in developments awarded funding

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program

• $46.56 Million appropriated this past legislative session is being disbursed by Florida Housing to local governments statewide to be used towards rehabilitation, emergency repairs, down payment assistance, homeownership counseling, new construction (when permitted), down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees and mortgage buy-downs

Hurricane Irma Housing Recovery

• Awarded $31.8 Million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding in Monroe County for rental housing that will serve 157 households
 
• Awarded another $18.9 Million in CDBG-DR funding to develop small rental properties in hurricane recovery areas.  Developments were selected in Clay, Bradford, Highlands and DeSoto Counties totaling 188 units      
 
• Allocated another $75.3 Million in CDBG-DR that will be used with other Florida Housing resources to fund affordable rental housing in areas impacted by Hurricane Irma and the influx of migration of households displaced by Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Michael Housing Recovery

• Fully disbursed $5 Million in SHIP-Disaster Recovery funding to Hurricane Michael impacted local governments in January 2019
 
• $65 Million for Hurricane Housing Recovery Program (HHRP) appropriated this past legislative session is being disbursed to local governments in the Hurricane Michael impacted areas—half of the funding has been disbursed
 
• $50 Million for Rental Recovery Loan Program (RRLP) appropriated this past legislative session in funding developments in Hurricane Michael impacted areas . Florida Housing’s Board approved this funding in December for seven developments
 
• Hurricane Michael Recovery Loan Program assisted more than 335 families impacted by Hurricane Michael purchase a home and provided $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance in under four months: originating ten times the number of loans in those same counties as we had in all of 2018      
 
• Provided more than $47 Million in HOME awards for ten (10) rental developments in Hurricane Michael impacted counties

Supportive Housing

• Florida Housing demonstrated the use of HOME funding for short-term rental assistance to help homeless families with school age children in rural and small communities to successfully regain housing stability and greater self-sufficiency, as well as keep the children on track with their education.  The first Pilot site was in Santa Rosa County where Florida Housing partnered with the Santa Rosa County School District, Milton Housing Authority and other local partners to ensure that there is wrap around support services for these families to locate and access rental housing, as well as help them address issues that caused their homelessness.  Due to the successes of the Santa Rosa County Pilot, Florida Housing added Hernando County as the second Pilot site in November.
 
• Florida Housing began compiling cost/benefits findings from its Pilot that is studying the impacts of Permanent Supportive Housing  for serving communities most vulnerable chronically homeless individuals.
 
• The Pilot sites are permanent supportive housing developments are in Jacksonville, Miami and St. Petersburg.  The findings from the pre/post housed cost/benefits study at the Jacksonville Pilot site found that the cost savings to public resources after two years included:   
 
• 86% of the study participants remain stably housed after two years
• 58% decrease in overall hospital costs; including ER, inpatient and outpatient services
• Average income increases of 66%.
• 66% decrease in inpatient mental health crisis services
• 70% decrease in costs associated with arrests and jail stays.
 
• In Miami-Dade, the preliminary first year cost/benefits study findings include:
• 65 percent decrease in Medicaid costs
• 50 percent decrease in the criminal justice system costs
• 100 percent decrease in homeless services system costs

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit  www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.- The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) Board of Directors during today’s board meeting unanimously approved funding for 23 developments in hurricane-impacted counties in Florida. This past July and August, Florida Housing issued requests for applications (RFAs) offering Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Rental Recovery Loan Program (RRLP) funding for the construction of both affordable and workforce housing in Hurricanes Irma and Michael impacted areas.

To review the list of approved developments that were awarded funding, click on the following:

• CDBG-DR RFA 2019-102- 12 Developments allocated a total of over $63 million in development funding and over $11 million in land acquisition funding for a total of $75.2 million
• CDBG-DR RFA 2019-103- Four Developments allocated over $18 million
• RRLP RFA 2019-111- Seven Developments allocated over $53 million

"I’m proud of our efforts to prioritize affordable housing as it is a critical component to the long-term recovery of communities impacted by recent storms,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I applaud the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for realizing this with today’s vote and I look forward to continuing to work with FHFC and the Department of Economic Opportunity to provide the necessary resources for Floridians to rebuild.”

“Florida Housing’s Board continues to rebuild housing - and lives - by assisting families impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Michael with housing resources,” said Florida Housing Executive Director Trey Price. “Our partnership with Governor DeSantis and the Department of Economic Opportunity with these funds continues our mission of providing safe, quality, affordable housing for the long term in the state of Florida.”

“On behalf of our agency and the people of Florida, I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his steadfast commitment to providing affordable housing in our state, especially in areas severely impacted by hurricanes,” said Ken Lawson, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity—who sits on the Board. “Thank you to Florida Housing Finance Corporation for working quickly to make affordable housing a reality in these communities through the Rebuild Florida Workforce Housing Program.”     

Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)

In May, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida Housing’s partnership  with the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to provide funding for the construction of new affordable workforce housing to help address housing shortages worsened by Hurricane Irma. The CDBG-DR funding was awarded through DEO’s Rebuild Florida program, a partnership between DEO and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development using federal funding for Florida’s long-term disaster recovery efforts. Florida Housing launched a competitive application for CDBG-DR funding in Monroe County in June.

Rental Recovery Loan Program (RRLP)

During the 2019 Legislative session, the Florida Legislature appropriated $50  million for the Rental Recovery Loan (RRLP) Program. The RFA process is funding affordable housing developments located in Hurricane Michael impacted areas.

Click here for more information on the CDGB-DR Workforce Funding. Click here for information on RRLP. For additional information on Florida Housing, please visit our website at www.floridahousing.org.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter @Florida_Housing.                                                                    

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TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, December 13, 2019, in Orlando. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Friday, December 13, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport
             9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd. 
             Orlando, FL 323827

For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

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TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Governor Ron DeSantis announced today full funding for affordable and workforce housing programs. Unveiled in his Bolder, Brighter, Better Future Budget, the Governor recommends providing $387 million to the affordable housing trust funds-- $119.8 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program and $267.2 million for the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program.

Florida Housing Board Chairman Ray Dubuque said, “We appreciate and applaud Governor DeSantis for his continued commitment to affordable and workforce housing. His recommendation to provide $387 million in funding for our state’s critical housing needs will go a long way in assisting those Florida families that are most in need; including those impacted by natural disasters.”

Florida Housing Executive Director Trey Price said, “Florida Housing thanks Governor DeSantis for his recommendation for the second year in a row to fully fund the housing trust funds. The Governor continues to take bold steps to ensure all citizens in Florida can access quality, affordable housing; which in turn improves our communities and spurs economic impact in this great state.” 

The State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program provides gap loan financing to developers to leverage funding available under both the Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Bond and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits programs, resulting in the full financing needed to construct affordable rental units for families and elders. These are low-interest loans awarded on a competitive basis to developers of affordable rental housing.

The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program is designed to serve very low, low and moderate income families. The minimum allocation per county is $350,000 and may be used for strategies such as rehabilitation, emergency repairs, down payment assistance and homeownership counseling, new construction (when permitted), down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees and mortgage buy-downs.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - On December 4, 2019, Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing), Office of Inspector General (OIG) will undergo a Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (Commission) assessment to evaluate the OIG’s compliance with specific requirements and standards as set forth by the Commission, Florida Statutes, and the Principles and Standards for Offices of Inspector General.  In order to maintain accredited status, the OIG must comply with 46 standards related to policies, procedures, management, operations and support services.

As part of the on-site assessment, Florida Housing staff members and the public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team.  A copy of the standards is available through the Commission’s website at www.flaccreditation.org.

For more information regarding the Commission or to offer written comments about Florida Housing’s OIG, please write to: CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, Florida, 32302, or send an email to flaccreditation@fdle.state.fl.us. 

The Commission’s Assessment Team is composed of OIG and law enforcement practitioners.  The assessors will review written materials; interview staff members; and view areas where compliance can be witnessed.

Once the assessment is completed, they will report back to the full Commission, which will decide if Florida Housing’s OIG is to retain accredited status.  Florida Housing OIG’s accreditation will be valid for a three-year period.  Verification by the team that Florida Housing’s OIG meets the Commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of OIG professional excellence.

For additional information on Florida Housing, visit our website at www.floridahousing.org.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter @Florida_Housing.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2019 in Tallahassee. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Thursday, October 31, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Tallahassee City Hall, Commission Chambers
             300 South Adams Street
             Tallahassee, FL 32301

For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

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TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - In less than four months, a total of $5 million in down payment (DPA) and closing cost assistance has been committed to assist more than 335 homebuyers through Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s  (Florida Housing) new homeownership programs in the following Hurricane Michael impacted counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington. These homebuyers also received over $50 million in first mortgage financing through Florida Housing’s Homebuyer Loan Program. Launched in early June, Florida Housing made the funding available to assist impacted counties and the victims who were displaced or impacted by the storm.

The Hurricane Michael Recovery Loan Program offered below market 30-year fixed rate first mortgages coupled with up to $15,000 in down payment (DPA) and closing cost assistance for qualified homebuyers. DPA loans were at zero percent interest, non-amortizing and forgivable at 20 percent per year over five years. The DPA loan is fully forgivable if an active duty serviceperson is officially reassigned and must sell the home. Also, those eligible did NOT have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for this program, though the home must be owner-occupied.

Governor Ron DeSantis said, “I’m pleased with the work of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to help the people of Northwest Florida get back on their feet following the wrath of Hurricane Michael. Many homes were destroyed, and it is reassuring that these funds were distributed so quickly so that Floridians can stay connected to their communities. We will continue to utilize all available resources to ensure these areas fully recover.” 

Florida Housing Executive Director Trey Price said,  “Florida Housing saw a tremendous opportunity to inject millions of dollars of our own funding into the Panhandle single-family market, which saw thousands of homes heavily damaged.  We heard local concerns that people would leave the area entirely and wanted to offer incentive to stay and be a part of the rebuilding effort.  We were excited to see the response – committing ten times the number of loans in under four months as we had in all of 2018.”

The Hurricane Michael Recovery Loan Programs that were available are the following:

• Hurricane Michael Florida First:  a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage;
 
• Hurricane Michael Florida Military Heroes: a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage designed to help both veterans and active duty military personnel;
 
• Hurricane Michael HFA Preferred Conventional Loan Program: a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage; and   
 
• Hurricane Michael HFA Advantage Loan Program: a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage.

Additional information can be found on our website at www.floridahousing.org.

ISLAMORADA, FLA. - The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) Board of Directors during today’s board meeting unanimously approved funding for four developments in hurricane-impacted Monroe County. This past July, Florida Housing issued a request for application (RFA) offering $25 million of the Rebuild Florida Workforce Housing Program for the construction of workforce housing in Monroe County, plus an additional $10 million in funding for acquiring land for those developments that help address the unmet workforce housing need. To review the list of approved developments that were awarded funding, click here.

“Monroe County was devastated by Hurricane Irma, but by working together, we’re continuing to rebuild the community stronger than before,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With this funding for four developments, Monroe County takes another positive step in the rebuilding process. The community has demonstrated incredible resilience and my administration remains committed to assisting in recovery efforts.”

“Florida Housing’s Board took decisive action today to further assist those in Monroe County and its housing stock, where Hurricane Irma struck the hardest,” said Florida Housing Executive Director Trey Price. “We are grateful to the Governor and the Department of Economic Opportunity for partnering with us to continue our commitment of providing safe, decent, affordable housing to the citizens of Florida.” 

“The construction of new, quality and resilient affordable housing is critical to the economic recovery of areas impacted by Hurricane Irma,” said Ken Lawson, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity—who sits on the Board. “We are proud of the work Florida Housing Finance Corporation has done to quickly award developers through the Rebuild Florida Workforce Housing Program and begin the much needed work of building homes in these communities.”

First announced by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, Florida Housing  has partnered with the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) providing funding for the construction of new affordable workforce housing to help address housing shortages worsened by Hurricane Irma. The CDBG-DR funding was awarded through DEO’s Rebuild Florida program, a partnership between DEO and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development using federal funding for Florida’s long-term disaster recovery efforts. Florida Housing then launched a competitive application cycle in June.

Click here for more information on the CDGB-DR Workforce Funding. For additional information on Florida Housing, please visit our website at www.floridahousing.org.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter @Florida_Housing.

TALLAHASSEE - Over $1.7 million has been reserved for 118 loans through Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s  (Florida Housing) new homeownership programs in the following Hurricane Michael impacted counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington.  Earlier this summer, Florida Housing made $5 million available to those looking to buy homes in the area ravaged by the storm and to date, more than $1.7 million has been committed to homebuyers in need of down payment and closing cost assistance.

Launched in early June, the Hurricane Michael Recovery Loan Program offers below market 30-year fixed rate first mortgages coupled with up to $15,000 in down payment (DPA) and closing cost assistance for qualifying homebuyers. DPA loans will be at zero percent interest, non-amortizing and forgivable at 20 percent per year over five years. The DPA loan is fully forgivable if an active duty serviceperson is officially reassigned and must sell the home. Also, those eligible do NOT have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for this program, though the home must be owner-occupied.

Florida Housing Executive Director Trey Price said, “Florida Housing has injected millions of dollars for rebuilding rental stock and these Hurricane Michael homeownership and down payment assistance programs will assist with rebuilding the Panhandle single-family market.  These low interest loans help Floridians impacted by the storm obtain stable, affordable housing.” 

The Hurricane Michael Recovery Loan Programs available are the following (interest rates may change daily):

• Hurricane Michael Florida First:  Interest rate of 3.5% for a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage;
• Hurricane Michael Florida Military Heroes: Interest rate of 3.25% for a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage designed to help both veterans and active duty military personnel;
• Hurricane Michael HFA Preferred Conventional Loan Program: Interest rate of 3.875% for a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage; and
• Hurricane Michael HFA Advantage Loan Program: Interest rate of 4% for a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage.

Additional information on the Hurricane Michael Recovery Loan Programs and our participating lenders can be found in the Homebuyer Program Wizard on our website at www.floridahousing.org.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter @Florida_Housing.

Statement from Executive Director Trey Price on the 2019 Budget:

We applaud Governor Ron DeSantis, the House, and Senate for their commitment to affordable housing and are grateful for funding statewide housing needs including funds to assist the families devasted by Hurricane Michael. In the wake of 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, we saw similar programs assist the urgent housing needs of Floridians who were impacted by the storms.

Florida Housing works every day to help Florida families obtain housing options that are affordable to them. With the resources that are entrusted to us, Florida Housing will continue to provide assistance to respond to Florida’s growing and diverse needs.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida.

For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, June 21, 2019 in Jacksonville. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Friday, June 21, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency Jacksonville
             225 East Coastline Drive  
             Jacksonville, FL 32202

For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

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New Programs to Focus Dollars on Homebuyers

TALLAHASSEE - The deadline to accept applications for Florida’s federal Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program (ELMORE) is June 30, 2019. Under the leadership of Executive Director Trey Price, Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) has disbursed 100 percent of the funds for Florida’s Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF) ahead of schedule. Originally scheduled to end in 2020, qualified homeowners who are seniors in Florida may continue to apply for assistance through ELMORE until June 30, 2019.

As of May 31, 2019, 2,725 seniors in Florida have received assistance through ELMORE, and Florida Housing has disbursed 100 percent of the $1.135 billion received from the US Department of Treasury.

“HHF programs were originally scheduled to end in 2020 and Florida Housing was able to distribute these funds well ahead of schedule,” said Trey Price, executive director for Florida Housing. “I highly encourage seniors in Florida who are struggling with their reverse mortgage to apply before the June 30 deadline.” 

Homeowners who meet specific qualifications may be eligible for a two-year forgivable loan of up to $50,000.  The funds will be distributed to the mortgage servicer, on the homeowner’s behalf, in a lump sum to repay property-related expenses paid by the servicer (e.g., property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance and association fees) plus upcoming property-related expenses for up to 12 months. 

Homeowners who qualify may apply for assistance with ELMORE until the June 30, 2019, deadline. Applications received on or before the deadline will be processed.

Florida homeowners with reverse mortgages who want to see if they qualify for the ELMORE program should contact the toll-free ELMORE Application and Information Line at 1 (800) 601-3534 to apply and/or receive more information on the program. Additionally, you may visit the ELMORE program website at www.FloridaELMORE.org  for more information. Florida Housing will also be hosting ELMORE events throughout the state. For more information on the event dates and to set an appointment, call the toll-free number. There is no cost to apply for this program.

Florida Housing is the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for our hardworking and vulnerable Floridians across the State. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org.

New Programs to Focus Dollars on Homebuyers

PANAMA CITY, FLA. - Today, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) announced the availability of two new homeownership programs that will provide additional affordable housing resources for those Floridians who were impacted by Hurricane Michael. Trey Price, Executive Director of Florida Housing Finance Corporation, unveiled the programs during a meeting with Mayor Greg Brudnicki of Panama City.

“Florida Housing is proud to work alongside Governor DeSantis, state, and local officials to provide safe, decent affordable housing for Floridians,” Price said. “These homeownership and down payment assistance programs will help the rebuilding of these Panhandle communities and for families to achieve the American Dream affordably.”

Expected to launch in early June, the Homeownership Loan Program (HLP) will offer a favorable 30-year fixed rate first mortgage coupled with up to $15,000 in down payment (DPA) and closing cost assistance for qualifying homebuyers up to 140 percent AMI. DPA loans will be at zero percent interest, non-amortizing and forgivable at 20 percent per year over five years. The DPA loan is fully forgivable if an active duty serviceperson is officially reassigned and must sell the home. A total of up to $5 million in DPA will be available and may be used in conjunction with a variety of first mortgage products, including Veterans Affairs (VA) loans. Those eligible do not have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for this program, though the home must be owner-occupied.” 

The Homeownership Pool (HOP) Program will also launch in June and will create a $1 million pool of federal (HOME) funds to be made available to Hurricane Michael impacted counties for new single-family housing. Homebuilders who participate in this program can use up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance loans (DPA) to assist homebuyers in qualifying to purchase these new homes. The DPA loans assist borrowers at 80 percent area median income (AMI) and below and are zero percent interest, non-amortizing and due on sale, refinance or non-owner occupancy.” 

Also, Florida Housing’s Board of Directors recently voted to approve funding to construct seven newly-constructed rental developments providing over 200 units of affordable housing. The more than $30 million investment will be made using federal Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding and include developments in Bay (3), Gulf (2), (1) Jackson and (1) Wakulla counties.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org. Be sure to “Like” us on Facebook, and “Follow” us on Twitter @Florida_Housing.

TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) Board of Directors approved the funding of seven newly-constructed rental developments that will provide over 200 units of affordable housing in counties ravaged by the storm. The more than $30 million investment will be made using federal Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding and include developments in Bay (3), Gulf (2), Jackson and Wakulla counties.

Administered by Florida Housing, this program will provide additional affordable housing resources for those Floridians who were impacted by Hurricane Michael. In February, Florida Housing issued RFA 2019-109 offering $30 million of HOME funding to Applicants proposing the construction of affordable, multifamily housing in Hurricane Michael impacted counties and in Rural Areas. A total of 20 applications were received.

“We continue to see a basic lack of housing units in the area,” said Trey Price, executive director for Florida Housing. “These new affordable rental units will be a welcome addition and represent the first new, permanent rental housing that has been government financed.” 

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program provides non-amortized, low interest loans to developers for acquisition and/or new construction or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing to low income families. Loans are offered for the financing of first or subordinate mortgages with a simple interest rate of zero percent to nonprofit applicants and 1.5% per annum interest rate to for-profit applicants.

Click here to view the list of all applicants selected for funding.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, May 10, 2019 in Tallahassee. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Friday, May 10, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Tallahassee City Hall, Commission Chambers
             300 South Adams Street 
             Tallahassee, FL 32301

For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

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TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is announcing that the Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program (ELMORE), which assists seniors who are in default of their reverse mortgage, will close the program to new applications on June 30, 2019.

Launched in 2013, ELMORE has spent more than $52million in federal funding and has assisted more than 2,600 Florida seniors with keeping their homes. Homeowners who meet specific qualifications may be eligible for a two-year forgivable loan of up to $50,000.  The funds will be distributed to the mortgage servicer, on the homeowner’s behalf, in a lump sum to repay property-related expenses paid by the servicer (e.g., property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance and association fees) plus upcoming property-related expenses for up to 12 months.

ELMORE assists elder homeowners with reverse mortgages—who, because of a hardship, are having difficulty making property tax and homeowner’s insurance payments.  As a result, these homeowners are facing foreclosure for non-payment of these required costs. 

“Florida Housing implemented this program to help seniors in Florida sustain their homes,” said Trey Price executive director for Florida Housing. “We are pleased to have met the needs of so many seniors who were struggling to avoid foreclosure.”

Florida homeowners with reverse mortgages who want to see if they qualify for the ELMORE program should contact the toll-free ELMORE Application and Information Line at 1 (800) 601-3534 to apply and/or receive more information on the program. Additionally, you may visit the ELMORE program website at www.FloridaELMORE.org  for more information. Florida Housing will also be hosting ELMORE events throughout the state. For more information on the event dates and to set an appointment, call the toll-free number. There is no cost to apply for this program.

Florida Housing is the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for our hardworking and vulnerable Floridians across the State. For more information, please visit  www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 in Tallahassee. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Friday, March 22, 2019, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Tallahassee City Hall, Commission Chambers
             300 South Adams Street 
             Tallahassee, FL 32301

For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

Additional Resources and Links Meet Florida Housing's Board of Directors

TALLAHASSEE - On March 4, 2019, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing)  will relaunch the Florida Hardest-Hit Fund Down Payment Assistance Program (HHF-DPA) in five approved counties. This federal program was implemented to prevent foreclosures by stimulating home purchase activity and stabilizing neighborhoods in certain counties that demonstrated high levels on housing market distress. HHF-DPA provides up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers and is forgivable over five years. Florida Housing has successfully disbursed 100 percent of the over $1 billion in HHF program funds allocated by the US Department of Treasury (Treasury) two years ahead of schedule and is now using approximately $20 million in repayments of HHF program loans to assist additional Floridians.

Previously, HHF-DPA was available in eleven Florida counties. For the relaunch, Florida Housing used the latest market data to conduct a Treasury-mandated assessment of lingering negative effects in local housing markets. Based on this assessment, Florida Housing will assist eligible first-time homebuyers in the following five counties:  Clay, Duval, Hillsborough, Osceola and Pasco.

“Statistics show that foreclosures have drastically decreased in Florida and that our state has recovered from the housing crisis,” said Trey Price, executive director of Florida Housing. “This funding will further assist with the continued stabilization of recovering, distressed neighborhoods.” 

As of January 31, 2019, 52,742 Florida families have received assistance through HHF programs and more than 20,000 received down payment and closing cost assistance through HHF-DPA. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 eligible first-time homebuyers will be assisted with this additional funding.

First announced on February 19, 2010, by the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury), the “Housing Finance Agency (HFA) Innovation Fund for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets” (HFA Hardest-Hit Fund) provides federal funding to states hardest hit by the aftermath of the burst of the housing bubble. Funding was allocated to 18 states and the District of Columbia.

Click here for eligibility requirements and more information on the HHF-DPA Program. To hear participants discuss their experience with the Hardest-Hit Fund Program click here.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit  www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida Housing's upcoming Board of Directors' Meeting will be held on Friday, September 20 in Islamorada. The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. For Board Package information, please click here.

Event Details:
Who: Florida Housing's Board of Directors
What: Board Meeting
When: Friday, September 20, 2019, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Islamorada Cheeca Lodge
             81801 Overseas Hwy
             Islamorada, FL 33036

For more information on this Board Meeting, please contact Sheila Freaney, Board Liaison, at 850-488-4197 or via email at sheila.freaney@floridahousing.org

Additional Resources and Links Meet Florida Housing's Board of Directors

TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is releasing $5 million in disaster funds to counties in the Panhandle that were ravaged by Hurricane Michael. After completing the evaluation process regarding the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program disaster funds, Florida Housing is allocating the funding to nine impacted counties. The Tier 1 counties include: Bay, Calhoun, Gulf and Jackson. The Tier 2 counties include: Franklin, Gadsden, Liberty, Wakulla, and Washington. Click here to review the complete list of local governments approved to received disaster funding and allocation amounts.

“Many of the counties affected by Hurricane Michael are small, rural counties, and the SHIP dollars allocated here will make a difference getting residents’ lives back in order,” said Trey Price, executive director for Florida Housing. “Florida Housing continues the long process of rebuilding the Panhandle with this much-needed allocation".

The SHIP program provides funds to local governments for their homeownership and rental housing programs. Under Section 420.9073(5), Florida Statutes, Florida Housing is authorized to hold back up to $5 million each fiscal year from the SHIP appropriation for recovery efforts for declared disasters. In previous years, recovery efforts include response to hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and wildfires.

While SHIP’s role is primarily in long-term housing recovery, each SHIP local government has an adopted disaster strategy that allows for assistance in the immediate aftermath of a declared disaster.  The strategies include, temporary relocation, tree and debris removal, rent assistance, and short-term repairs to prevent further damage to the structure or to allow for occupancy until further repairs are made.

Click here for additional disaster relief information that details Florida Housing resources available throughout the state, as well as other federal, state and local resources.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for our hardworking and vulnerable Floridians across the State. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) Board of Directors approved the awarding of financing for the construction of two workforce housing developments in Monroe County during the board meeting held  in December. Florida Housing issued invitations to credit underwriting last week to the approved applicants..

On October 8, 2018, the Corporation issued a request for application (RFA) offering over $1.8 million of Competitive Housing Credits and $15 million in State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) funding to applicants proposing the development of workforce housing for hurricane recovery in Monroe County. This RFA was specifically created to assist with building affordable workforce housing in an area that was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

“Florida Housing is keeping its commitment of providing long-term housing solutions and resources to the citizens of Florida,” said Trey Price, executive director for Florida Housing. “The construction of affordable workforce housing is imperative in Monroe County as the community continues to rebuild from Hurricane Irma.”

The SAIL program provides developers with the gap funding needed to obtain full financing of affordable rental housing, and the Housing Credits program provides dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal tax liability in exchange for the development of affordable rental housing. SAIL loans are low-interest loans awarded on a competitive basis to developers of affordable rental housing. Click here to view additional information on the applications that were approved.

Florida Housing was created by the Legislature more than 35 years ago. We are the state’s housing finance agency (HFA) that administers state and federal resources to help provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for the citizens of Florida. For more information, please visit www.floridahousing.org.