Andrew Powell
The Senate unanimously passed a measure Wednesday that seeks to promote the development of affordable housing in Florida.
Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud presented the bill (SB 1730) and explained that the legislation is meant to support the “Live Local Act” passed in 2023 and spearheaded by Naples Republican and former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.
“In 2023, the Senate and President Passidomo took a bold step forward in addressing one of our state’s most pressing challenges — attainable housing,” Calatayud said. “She spearheaded the Live Local Act, a landmark piece of legislation that sought to increase housing opportunities, especially in urban areas close to workplaces, shopping centers and schools.”
The bill would change zoning and development rules and would require counties and municipalities to allow multifamily and mixed-use residential developments in certain flexibly zoned areas. At least 40% of multifamily rental units must meet affordability standards, while 65% of mixed-use developments must be for residential use.
Counties and municipalities would further be required to reduce parking requirements for developments near transit hubs, while the measure would allow certain regulations to be placed on density, floor area ratios, and height on developments.
“It is a historic effort to ensure that our communities thrive and that families have access to housing that is not only affordable but conveniently located,” Calatayud said. “Over the past two years, we’ve seen remarkable success as a result of the Live local Act, with record funding and innovative land use provisions.”
Developers would be able to include adjacent parcels of land to be included in proposed multifamily developments. While counties and municipalities could face court if they violate the provisions of the bill. Calatayud said that while the Live Local Act laid a solid foundation, there is still room for refinement.
“The act laid the foundation for a future where more people can live, work, and raise families in the communities that they love, without the burden of commutes and skyrocketing housing costs. But as with any great piece of legislation, we continue to refine and improve,” Calatayud said.
Calatayud said the measure would help to strengthen the implementation of the Live Local Act, and limits would further be placed on moratoriums that delay the development of multifamily residential or mixed-use residential units.
“The bill before us today makes a few minor adjustments to the original legislation, particularly regarding the land use provisions,” Calatayud said. “These adjustments are not about changing the vision, but on strengthening the implementation and ensuring that the intent of the Live Local Act is fully realized.”
8 comments
PeterH
April 17, 2025 at 1:15 am
What do the legislators mean when they call for affordability standards! What are the standards?
Earl Pitts American
April 17, 2025 at 7:09 am
Relax your Sphincter, PeterH,
This RINO Senate is passing a totally un-needed bill which will result in kick-backs to your people “The Dook 4 Brains Leftys” just like under the previous “0Biden Sadministration”.
You, PeterH, should be chearing this “RINO Senate” as they are, one and all, just as much “Dook 4 Brains Leftys” as you are, PetetH.
Thank you, PeterH,
Your Hero, Earl Pitts American
JD
April 17, 2025 at 9:57 am
And yet you still didn’t answer the question, except for propagandish deflection. Damn Shitts you suck – is that why you keep relaxing your sphincter? So you can get a better vapor draw?
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April 17, 2025 at 2:08 am
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Ron Ogden
April 17, 2025 at 7:54 am
Earl’s right on this one. This bill is all about more apartments, fewer single family homes, fewer private automobiles, more transit, less family autonomy, more government intervention. If you want to understand where Florida is headed, search the web under the phrase “15 Minute City.” It is a bureaucrat’s daydream. Here’s a quote from one page: “Cleveland is pursuing the most integrated government-led effort in the United States to use 15-minute-city principles to create a more vibrant and equitable city.” See the keywords: “integrated, government-led, equitable.” I don’t see “diverse” but that is taken for granted. Just at the time when America chose a government to do away with DEI, local governments are doing their best to go in the other direction.
JD
April 17, 2025 at 10:05 am
This is just fear-mongering. Neighborhoods like this have existed for over a century and it’s how most classic American cities grew. “15-minute city” doesn’t mean a government cage; it means people can live, work, and shop without wasting half their life commuting. More homes = more freedom. The real agenda here is fixing broken housing policies, not pushing “DEI” boogeymen.
LexT
April 17, 2025 at 9:24 am
Live Local is a good idea, but still a long way from fixing the problem and potentially can create nightmares with very incompatible uses. In general, Home Rule should mean something. When you try to make one rule for every situation, be prepared for some bad outcomes.
JD
April 17, 2025 at 10:06 am
There’s actually good evidence that this approach works if done right. Many of the most beloved neighborhoods in older cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, and other Midwest areas started exactly this way: smaller homes, 2 to 4 unit buildings, walkable streets, no required garages, built for real people, not cars.
If Florida is serious about affordable housing, we need to go all the way: remove excessive setbacks, allow 2 to 4 unit homes, ditch mandatory garage rules, and make it possible to live without owning two cars. This is about affordable homeownership as much as affordable rentals. Giving more people access to homes is the opposite of a government “takeover.”
The “15-minute city” panic is pure propaganda. It is not about losing freedom; it is about having more choices, the freedom to live near work, school, groceries without being chained to endless car commutes. More homes, more ownership, more opportunity. Not everybody wants (or can afford) a giant lot with a two-car garage. And pretending it is a DEI conspiracy is just lazy culture war nonsense.