Florida's Housing Hurdle: What's Holding Back Affordable Living?

Florida's Live Local Act, a 2023 law aimed at tackling housing affordability, is facing resistance from some wealthy areas. These communities are putting up barriers to block new housing developments, despite the law's incentives like tax breaks and easier zoning rules. The law was designed to encourage the construction of affordable apartments by making it simpler and more rewarding for developers. Since it passed, over 3, 000 new housing units have been built across the state, with thousands more in the pipeline. However, some affluent neighborhoods are slowing down or outright rejecting these projects. Critics argue that these communities are misrepresenting the law to create anti-development sentiment. They claim that the law's original goal—addressing rising construction costs, population growth, and complex regulations—is being undermined by this resistance.To ensure the law's success, some suggest stronger state action. This could include legal action against non-compliant municipalities, cutting state funds to those that reject valid proposals, and removing limits on legal fees for developers who have to fight these battles in court. In Bal Harbour, a plan to build affordable housing for essential workers like teachers and first responders has been stuck for two years. The local government and residents have rejected the proposal, preferring to keep things as they are rather than help solve Florida's housing crisis. Florida's housing shortage is severe, with only 24 affordable rental units available for every 100 extremely low-income renters. Rents have surged by 39% from 2019 to 2024, leading to a 28% increase in family homelessness. To make a real difference, the state must prioritize housing policy and hold local governments accountable for their inaction.