Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed into law affordable housing legislation that includes $711 million for housing programs and tax breaks for developers.
The law supersedes local governments’ zoning, density, and height requirements for affordable housing in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development. It also strips local municipalities’ ability to enact rent control, which had only been possible during a housing emergency.
Local governments must allow multifamily or mixed-use residential projects that set aside at least 40% of the residential component for affordable housing for at least 30 years. Counties are not allowed to restrict the height of a proposed development below what’s currently allowed within one mile of the planned project if the project sets aside at least 65% of the square footage for residential purposes.
Developers of affordable housing and some with mixed-use projects in mind are expected to create more housing as a result of the new law. South Florida became one of the least affordable housing markets in the country last year, following rent increases during the pandemic.
Related Stories
Affordable Housing | Feb 22, 2023
Passive House, sustainability standards meet multifamily development
These multifamily developments are not only Passive House (PHIUS) certified, but affordable for tenants.
Affordable Housing | Feb 15, 2023
3 multifamily projects dedicated to 100% living affordability
BD+C editors collected over 20 multifamily projects with a focus on affordable housing. These three developments took it to the extreme.
Affordable Housing | Feb 15, 2023
2023 affordable housing roundup: 20+ multifamily projects
In our latest call for entries, Building Design+Construction collected over 20 multifamily projects with a focus on affordable housing. Here is a comprehensive list of all projects in alphabetical order.