Florida REALTORS® Make Homelessness a Priority Issue

Sherri Meadows, the 2014 president of Florida REALTORS®, made homelessness a priority last year, and the association advocated for legislation that will fund local homeless coalitions to provide housing for extremely low-income and homeless persons.

Leading REALTORS® spent two months traveling the state, meeting with members of Florida REALTORS® and getting their thoughts on homelessness issues.

The Florida legislature passed and signed into law HB 979 / SB 1090, which established challenge grants to provide training and technical assistance for local coalitions, nonprofits and other agencies that assist homeless persons. The 2014-2015 state budget earmarked $4 million for homeless programs.

Details about the yearlong homelessness program can be found on the Florida REALTORS® website.

Meanwhile, progress on homeless is being made. Compared with 2007, Florida now has 6,320 fewer homeless people, according to an annual count conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Florida REALTORS® are making a difference in their communities on this critical issue, and are community leaders in finding solutions.