With the rampant increase in poverty and the great rate through which population is increasing on a daily basis in Florida and moreover the world is quite alarming for all. Thus with this increase it is required that the government and stakeholders come up with a scheme that is affordable and seeks to accommodate the ever increasing population. The National Affordable Housing Act in Florida is one those initiate taken by the Florida government in order to provide shelters to millions at an affordable rate. The Florida's state housing program is one of the largest of its type which is in collaboration with Florida’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP).
The purpose of developing this National Affordable Housing Act in Florida was to develop a scheme as well as providing funds that would offer houses to those who cannot afford expensive residences. "One definition of ‘affordable housing’ is that it is housing which would not put the buyer into mortgage stress (Refinance Mortgage Rates,n.d.).”These houses are designed in a way that they offer convenience and ease as they are situated near workplaces, schools and shopping which are essential to sustain a healthy community.
One needs to understand the ideology behind affordable housing to understand the purpose of it. Basically this housing scheme provides residence to those who do not earn much, are aged, or suffer from any sort of disability. These houses are available on rent in Florida. Furthermore, these houses also cater to those individuals who earn a sustainable living but cannot afford to give complete payments etc. The concept of affordable housing particularly means that the houses are available on rental basis.
In order to come up with a housing scheme that is affordable and available on rental basis the government gives subsidy to the developers and construction industries. They in return come up with an affordable project. The only thing that discriminates these projects from other residential schemes is that the subsidy given funds and allows the government to contribute in developing a scheme where the lower class benefits and rehabilitates. The mortgages are fixed which help the buyers and assists them in paying the cost and down payments. The transparency in such projects makes them distinct from others.
"The objectives of this project are: to integrate life cycle affordability, low capital costs, low environmental impacts, high energy efficiency, energy conservation, hurricane safety/security, universal design, low yard maintenance, low water use, and use of native and edible yard landscapes technologies into the construction of an affordable, sustainable community ( Gulf Coast University,n.d. ).”
It is very essential to provide the citizens of Florida with affordable housing in order to bring about economic stability within the region as well as provide them safety so that a healthy mechanism is generated. It is quite saddening that a very percentage of children and families are rendered homeless in Florida. The dire need to develop an affordable housing scheme which caters to the veterans was realized, as Florida has a very huge number of veterans if they are not provided with proper residence it will not hamper progress but would also dent moral and ethical values.
"The program is offered to all borrowers who meet income, purchase price and other program guidelines, and can otherwise qualify for a loan. Borrowers who qualify for this first mortgage program are automatically qualified for one of Florida Housing’s down payment assistance programs (Home ownership Programs,n.d.).”
Basic features of The National Affordable Housing Act:
* The children and families who live below the poverty line get proper accommodation. The cheaper cost allows young children to continue their education and families to live with in proper places with better facilities.
* It is the duty of the government in Florida to provide affordable housing to its residents who are dwelling in vulnerable conditions.
* Another reason apart from the obligation that bounds the Florida government to provide affordable housing is the economic growth such projects contributes to. These projects are a major catalyst in sustaining and boosting the economy.
* Furthermore the workforce also requires adequate housing facilities and such residences are the best available so far.
* The government also provides easy public transportation at these schemes so that no issues arises whatsoever and convenience remains intact.
It needs to be noted here that it is not the duty of the local government to provide these cheap housing facilities but it is there duty to provide an environment which allows the private sector to make such projects or preserve them. In order to develop this housing scheme in Florida the government or basically the land developing authority makes such reforms which are flexible and in favor of the developers. They also provide incentives to the private sector so that they come up with such projects. The regulatory reforms and land incentives together help in planning of such projects.
There are several ways through which these housing schemes are financed. Firstly, on a personal level the local government in collaboration with other departments such as local housing funds, planning department, and federal state administration gather funds through various means for instance the property tax obtained can be used to develop such schemes. These funds might be gathered through programs like SHIP, HOME, CDBG, BONDS etc. The role of private sector comes into play in financing parks, schools and other facilities which are for the benefit of the families dwelling in these housing affordable schemes.
"The existence of isolated and racially segregated housing has preserved racial discrimination. Next, the social and economic benefits and costs efficiency is tremendous (Residential Racial Segregation,n.d.).”
The government has its own reasons to fund and develop such programs. The government has experienced tremendous increase in its economy by the propagation and popularity of such affordable housing schemes. It has been estimated that if these communities continue to develop then there are chances that the job requirements will increase tremendously which will allow 25,000 more opportunities to the jobless. Further the economic conditions would prosper as it is expected that the economic output might rises up to $ 2.995 per annum. The workforce or the labor will benefit not only from the jobs but will also enjoy the labor income which is expected to be $1.086 billion. Lastly, such housing schemes will increase government revenue in Florida by the increase amount of tax that will be collected.
Although there has been immense revenue that has been generated through these projects but there are certain inefficiencies when it comes to affordable housing scheme. The government despite experiencing great economic turnover through these projects is not doing much to overcome the crisis faced by the housing. There are immense problems that are now associated with these schemes that are now being neglected because of the inefficiencies in the system.
"In regards to affordable housing goals, Siemans (2003) stated that the national goal to provide affordable housing has collapsed. Siemans added that initiates ton provide affordable housing are usually met with hostility and adversarial groups. Affordable housing programs that are active usually fail to address the real reason for poverty, according to Seimans, and the government must find a way to address poverty." (Bispham, 2007) Thus, like I mentioned earlier that there are inefficiencies in the system that is resulting in its downfall.
Affordable housing is a legal obligation and responsibility. However, the property which is used for these affordable houses can either be private property or a government property and maybe publicly owned as well. Affordable housing is a legal obligation and responsibility. However, the property which is used for these affordable houses can either be private property or a government property and maybe publicly owned as well. The Florida legislation has a goal targeted that they wanted to meet the state’s housing needs by 2010. “The additional 22,134 housing units provided with 1998 program funds allowed Florida to keep up with only two-thirds of the growth of cost burdened households during that year, and did not provide for the backlog of 1.35 million cost burdened households.” (Larsen, 2004) Florida’s population has faced dramatic changes since a last few decades and it has kept on increasing enormously.
Basically, bordering has become one of the most important factors or aspects when it comes to local government land use regulation. Meanwhile in the 20th century, many societies and communities used the concept of zoning and utilized it in such a way that the protection of residential areas which usually contains single family, particularly, the developed and developing neighborhood. Mostly, the states have acknowledged and addressed the problems regarding affordable housing in their respective states in improving and enabling the law which clarifies that firstly, the land policies regarding the affordable housing schemes are available in black and white in the form of land use plans. Secondly, the affordable housing is the requirement of the nations. These should be designed in a way to cater them and address their concerns. Basically, in order to implement the scheme zoning procedures are used. These procedures vary from state to state giving individuals the right to file their reservations or inform about any shortcomings regarding the program (American Bar Association., & American Bar Association,1995).
The strategic triangle
The National Affordable Housing Act of Florida is one of the most important steps towards providing residence to those who live below the poverty line or find it difficult to make both ends meet. Florida is one of those countries that has densely populated. The population is increasing on a tremendous pace which makes has resulted in various issues like pollution, lack of accommodation and adequate sewerage facilities etc. with this recent boom in Florida's population it is the duty of the Florida local government to come up with such schemes that will help to provide the children, families, veterans, labor and other individual with the basic necessities of life.
Considering this the housing act which is in collaboration with various other programs helps to provide shelter at a cheap cost to deserving individuals; the role of government is quite dynamic and versatile which grants subsidies to the construction and developing industry which in return comes up with cheap housing schemes for the poor and needy people. The role of the private sector is also very important because without them and their support this scheme could not flourish. In order to execute such a scheme which requires immense planning and finance a lot of prior homework needs to be done. The planning department develops a strong layout on the basis of that the funds are estimated. Finance is one of the major concerns therefore there are many means through which the scheme is funded. Programs like SHIP, BONDS etc. are of immense importance which is designed for the purpose of funding the housing scheme in Florida. Apart from this property taxes and land revenue etc. whatever is generated is used to fund such programs.
Furthermore, the government also benefits tremendously from such programs. Firstly job opportunities are created when individuals have proper residence. These societies allow people to settle at a cheap cost and then earn a living to sustain. Furthermore, economy benefits drastically with increase in labor and workforce. More revenue can be generated and the taxes which are collected also aid in promotion of these programs.
Although this program was initially started with a purpose to aid those in need and provide them with housing facilities that are within their budget. But sadly this program is now a victim of inefficiencies and personal benefits. Today some of these societies are in a terrible state with the standards going down on everyday basis. The adequate facilities which were once promised to these individuals are nowhere to been. Some critics even believe that The National Housing Act in Florida is collapsing and the purpose it was meant to serve is not being catered at all. The reason the government established such programs was that the poor and needy could benefit but now the only people benefiting from these programs are the stakeholders, builders and developers etc. Furthermore the terrible state of the housing schemes requires immediate renovation which is also being neglected these days.
"In addition to redevelopment we need to use housing funds to rehabilitate existing single family housing stock and provide down payment and closing assistance to help families move into now abandoned homes and rehabilitate existing project based rental properties so that we do not lose this irreplaceable federally subsidized housing stock that serves the most vulnerable citizens (Ross ,Jamie & 1000 friends of Florida).”
Hence in a nutshell, The National Housing Act in Florida is a milestone in itself. This act granted accommodation for the poor, needy, disabled and elderly becoming an emblem of state service. This housing scheme is one of its kinds with has set a pattern for other nations who intend to provide quality accommodation facilities to follow. There are several issues that have gained popularity which question the scheme and its implementation procedures. If these issues are countered and the people in concern start to pay attention to the scheme rather than filling their own pockets than the poor and needy will benefit more from this act. The National Affordable Housing Act in Florida thus revolutionized and transformed housing for many people residing in the region.
References
American Bar Association., & American Bar Association. (1995). Journal of affordable housing & community development law. Chicago, Ill: Forum Committee on Affordable Housing and Community Development Law of the American Bar Association.
Bispham, J. H. (2007). Nonprofit leaders: A qualitative study of nonprofit leadership in Central Florida's affordable housing market.
Development and Monitoring of a Sustainable Affordable Housing Community in Southwest Florida Gulf Coast University .(n.d.).Research Project Database . NCER U.S. EPA ColdFusion Server. N.p.Web. 30 July 2013.
Home ownership programs.(n.d.). A summary of Florida Housing Programs. Florida housing and finance corporation.
Larsen, Kristin. (2004). Florida's housing trust fund, addressing the state's affordable housing needs. Web. 30 July .2013.
Low Income Mortgage, Affordable Housing & Homelessness.(n.d.). Refinance Mortgage Rates .RefinanceMortgageRates.org. Web. 30 July. 2013.
Ross, Jaimie, and Affordable Housing Director. (n.d.).Smart Growth and Affordable Housing in Florida ,1000 Friends of Florida . 1000 Friends of Florida Saving Special Places – Building Better Communities . Web. 30 July 2013. <http://www.1000friendsofflorida.org/building-better-communities/affordable-housing/smart-growth-and-affordable-housing-in-florida/>.
Residential Racial Segregation.(n.d.).Florida State University College of Law. Web. 30 July 2013.
