Here’s how lawmakers think Florida’s ‘Local Living Act’ will make housing more affordable

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida. On Thursday, state lawmakers took a big step in what they believe will improve Florida’s affordable housing crisis.

WPTV has looked into the Local Living Act and what it means to increase the affordability of affordable housing in Florida.

On the second day of the legislative session, state senators unanimously passed a 93-page affordable housing bill.

The following are the main findings of Florida Senate Bill 102, which is currently heading to the House of Representatives:

• Removes the authority of local governments to impose any rent control measures.
• Allows the construction of multi-family or mixed-use residential buildings in any area zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial properties, provided that 40% of the housing units are for affordable housing.
• Ensures that the rent for these designated units does not exceed 30% of the median household income.
• Incentivizes developers by offering tax incentives

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“The cost of doing business is very high, especially in Palm Beach County, so some of these barriers to entry will be removed,” said Michelle Jacobs, president of the Palm Beach County Economic Council.

Jacobs said that while the entire state is facing an affordable housing crisis, rising cost of living in Palm Beach County is exacerbated more than any other county.

“Since the pandemic, we have experienced the greatest wealth migration from every county,” Jacobs said. “So it continues to widen the gap between those who can afford it and those who can’t.”

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Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg Weiss said the bill offers more tools to address the issue, but local government preemptive rights and increased use of zoning raise some concerns.

“Industrial is giving me a little pause,” Weiss said. “I think we have some very heavy industrial applications, and to co-locate residential areas where something is poisonous or dangerous, working with hazardous materials, something, you know, would require at least a second look.” .

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Local leaders said the county was already ahead of the game with a $200 million housing bond that voters approved in November.

Weiss added that the bill’s future impact, should it become law, remains to be seen.

“In things like this, the devil is always in the details,” Weiss said.