CS/CS/SB 1602 — Housing for Veterans
by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee; and Senator Wright
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
The bill creates the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program” within the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa counties.
The bill directs the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, in consultation with the local public housing authority and case managers assigned to veterans by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish and oversee the document requirements and all processes of the pilot program.
The pilot program provides that landlords may apply to contracted program administrators to receive funding to:
- Hold a vacant dwelling for a veteran for up to 45 days after the date the dwelling unit becomes available or until the actual date that the veteran moves into the dwelling unit, whichever is sooner; and
- Cover property loss at the dwelling unit caused by the veteran, if the veteran moves out of the dwelling unit during the first 12 months of a year-to-year rental agreement or after the expiration of a rental agreement for any duration, which exceeds the amount of the deposit money up to $2,000.
The bill requires contracted program administrators to work with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to implement the pilot program. Funding provided for the pilot program is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation is directed to adopt rules for the pilot program.
Implementation of the pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriations.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect on July 1, 2026.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 112-0