![](\"https:\/\/www.floridarealtors.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/full_width_main_image\/public\/2019-05\/FAR.jpg?h=332e2f8a&itok=ry4rsd8K\")
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Help make Realtors\u2019 voice in Tallahassee a little louder: Email lawmakers<\/a>. Ask them not to permanently cut 66% of the housing trust funds many hard-working Floridians need.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 On Monday, Florida Realtors\u00ae President Cheryl Lambert issued a Call for Action \u2013 a legislative tool that asks and encourages all members of Florida Realtors to contact their lawmakers in Tallahassee.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The process takes only seconds using Florida Realtors\u2019 votervoice.net system.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn 1992, Realtors\u00ae in Florida agreed to tax their own business with a new documentary stamp tax that would be used to help residents attain affordable housing,\u201d Lambert wrote in an email to all Florida Realtors members. \u201cSince then, hundreds of thousands of Floridians \u2013 many of them teachers, firefighters, first responders and other essential workers \u2013 have utilized these funds to help purchase a home, beginning their journey of financial wellness.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The trust funds \u2013 commonly called the Sadowski trust funds \u2013 have not always gone toward affordable housing programs, notably in lean budget years when the Florida Legislature would \u201csweep\u201d money into general revenue and use it for other purposes. However, the latest proposal would be a permanent reduction by two-thirds, at a time when the state is already struggling with affordable housing issues.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAffordable housing is a priority for Florida\u2019s essential workers,\u201d Lambert says. \u201cIt is a priority for the elderly on fixed incomes. And it is a priority for hard-working Floridians looking to purchase their first home. Now is not the time to take money away from programs that can help Floridians achieve the American dream of homeownership.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While Realtors are encouraged to contact their personal representatives \u2013 which the email system does for them automatically<\/a> \u2013 anyone can join the movement and help keep homeownership affordable.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n