By Kerry Smith Sadowski Coalition: For every dollar spent on affordable housing, “there’s a 40% return on investment (for Fla.), in addition to producing desperately needed housing.” TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Sadowski Coalition, which advocates for affordable housing issues, released its first economic study of the Sadowski Housing Trust Funds – the state funding mechanism for affordable housing.  “The state and local government housing trust funds remain a critical tool in Florida’s effort to solve its affordable housing crisis,” says Cheryl Lambert, 2021 president of Florida Realtors® and broker-owner with Only Way Realty Citrus in Inverness. “This study further amplifies
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By Kerry Smith A Trump Administration plan that would have allowed associations to offer health insurance to members, including independent contractors, has stalled. The Biden Administration now prefers increased access to Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden made access to healthcare and strengthening of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) a priority during his campaign, but new Executive Orders have derailed efforts to allow associations to offer healthcare plans to members, including independent contractors. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is a strong advocate for Association Health Plans (AHPs) and says it will continue to push for
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By Kerry Smith The biggest optimism spike focused on current financial situations, which rose 4.7 index points, from 68.3 to 73.0. Overall, 3 components went up and 2 went down. GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Consumer sentiment among Floridians inched up four-tenths of a point in January to 82.6 – an increase from December’s revised figure of 82.2. Among the five components that make up the index, three increased and two decreased. Floridians’ opinions about current economic conditions were mixed. On the one hand, perceptions of personal financial situations now compared with a year ago increased 4.7 points from 68.3 to 73,
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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey A Dec. law had $25B for landlords hurt by non-paying tenants during the eviction ban, and the coalition wants the government to prioritize that rent relief for landlords. WASHINGTON – Housing groups, including the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), are urging federal agencies to provide more information about the distribution of $25 billion in rental assistance under COVID-19 relief legislation signed into law in December. The coalition of real estate trade organizations says the funds are critical to counter the economic fallout of the pandemic, protecting renters from losing their homes while providing financial protection to
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By Kerry Smith The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially moved the ban on foreclosures and evictions to March 31. However, further extensions could be considered by lawmakers in a new pandemic stimulus bill being negotiated by Pres. Biden and Congress. WASHINGTON – Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed an extension to the order banning foreclosures and evictions. The ban has now been extended to March 31, 2021. Before extensions, the original order expired on Dec. 31, 2020. Pres. Joe Biden pushed the CDC to extend the deadline,
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By Ron Hurtibise The chair of Fla.-owned Citizens Prop. Ins. floated an idea: Rather than sell policies through independent agents, use in-house agents that deal directly with homeowners. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Diane Justo doesn’t want to wade into the intimidating world of home insurance on her own. She knows she could be in over her head with a single wrong step. And yet, the newly appointed chairman of South Florida’s dominant insurance carrier is proposing to stop paying commissions to independent insurance agents, which could soon force Justo and others to sink or swim when it comes time to navigate
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