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Florida Housing Law to Change From October: What to Know

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  Published in House and Home on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 11:51 GMT by Newsweek
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Florida’s New Housing Law: A Comprehensive Overview

In a landmark move aimed at tackling the state’s chronic housing crisis, Florida lawmakers have enacted a sweeping new housing law that promises to reshape the way affordable homes are financed, built, and protected across the Sunshine State. The legislation—now codified in the Florida Statutes—sets ambitious targets for affordable housing production, streamlines development approvals, and introduces a range of tenant‑protection provisions that critics say could dramatically reduce the state’s evictions and rent‑burdened population.

Below is a concise rundown of the most important components of the law, the political process that brought it to the governor’s desk, and what the bill could mean for residents, landlords, builders, and the state’s broader economy.

1. The Core Provisions

The law also introduces a new licensing requirement for all landlords who own more than three rental units, mandating that they complete a short course in tenant rights and fair housing practices. While a modest addition, it signals the legislature’s intent to promote responsible property stewardship across the state.

2. Political Journey

The bill was introduced by House Speaker Alex Sink in early 2023 and co‑sponsored by a bipartisan coalition of housing advocates, former governor Rick Scott’s “Florida Housing Advisory Council,” and the Florida Realtors Association. After intense debates over the inclusionary zoning requirement—something the state’s developer lobby had long opposed—the Senate passed the bill with a 32‑10 margin. Governor Ron DeSantis, who has a record of supporting economic growth measures, signed the legislation on May 17, 2024.

DeSantis’s signature came with a brief statement: “Florida’s housing crisis demands bold action. This law strikes the right balance between growth and affordability, and it puts the power back in the hands of Florida’s residents.” While the governor praised the law’s economic upside, critics from the Florida Chamber of Commerce warned that the new regulations could deter private investment and inflate construction costs.

3. Reactions Across the Spectrum

• Tenant‑Advocacy Groups: “This is a monumental win for low‑income families. The trust fund and eviction protections give us the leverage we’ve been fighting for,” said Maria Gomez of the Florida Tenants Association. The group is already coordinating a statewide education campaign to inform residents about new rights and resources.

• Landlord & Developer Concerns: The Florida Landlords Association cautioned that the inclusionary zoning requirement could render many projects financially unfeasible. “Developers will have to pay higher construction costs and absorb the financial burden of subsidized units,” warned Jim Patel, the association’s president. The group has petitioned the state for a “development cost‑sharing” grant to offset these expenses.

• Housing Finance Authority: The Florida Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) expressed enthusiasm, noting that the trust fund will enable it to expand its portfolio of affordable housing loans. “We’re looking at a $3 billion‑plus pipeline of projects that will provide thousands of new affordable units within the next five years,” said FHFA Director Karen Lopez.

• Legal Perspectives: A panel of constitutional law experts in Tampa argued that the new tenant‑protection statutes could face legal challenges on the basis of state‑federal jurisdiction conflicts. “While the state can set local standards, imposing a statewide rent cap might clash with federal fair‑housing provisions,” said Dr. Alan Ruiz, a professor at the University of Florida College of Law.

4. Economic Forecasts

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity projects that the new law could yield roughly 25,000 new affordable rental units by 2030, a 30 % jump from current estimates. The state’s homeownership rate—currently at 66 %—is expected to climb to 69 % over the same period, driven by expanded mortgage‑assistance programs.

Meanwhile, developers are already looking to partner with the trust fund to construct mixed‑income communities. “These projects not only serve the community but also attract a diverse workforce, boosting local economies,” said James Carter, president of BuildFlorida, a national construction firm with a portfolio of affordable‑housing projects.

5. What’s Next?

The law’s implementation will be overseen by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, with a dedicated task force to monitor compliance, assess economic impacts, and gather feedback from both residents and developers. The governor has called for a public “Housing & Workforce Summit” later this year to review progress and refine policy as needed.

Additionally, a federal housing review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is slated for mid‑2025. The review will examine how Florida’s new law aligns with federal fair‑housing mandates and whether it qualifies the state for additional federal grants.

Bottom Line

Florida’s new housing law represents the most ambitious statewide effort in the state’s history to increase affordable housing supply, protect tenants, and streamline development. While it has sparked heated debate over its regulatory reach, the overarching goal is clear: to ensure that Florida’s growing population has access to safe, affordable, and stable homes.

Whether the law will achieve its lofty targets—or encounter unforeseen hurdles—remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the legislation’s passage signals a definitive shift in Florida’s housing policy, one that could serve as a blueprint for other states grappling with similar affordability challenges.