Florida Realtors and homebuilders to work together in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Feb. 29, 2008 – The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) and the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) agreed to work together this year to promote legislation important to the state’s homeowners and housing industry. FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio met with FHBA earlier this month and, calling it a “family reunion,” notes that the groups share important goals, including an increase in affordable housing funding and additional property tax relief.

“FHBA President Robert Parrish and I agreed that we are in lock-step on virtually every issue as we head into the regular legislative session next month, and we realize how strong we can be when we stand together,” Bonfiglio says, noting that the meeting was long overdue.

The agreement to work together, according to Bonfiglio, builds from two recent successes based on shared goals – the passage of Amendment 1 in January and a move to keep the Hometown Democracy amendment off the ballot in November.

Going forward, FAR and FHBA plan to meet on a regular basis, and FAR President-Elect Cynthia Shelton has already completed a second meeting with FHBA Vice-President Jay Carlson.

“Moving into the legislative session, FAR and FHBA agree that additional tax reforms must be enacted to bring relief to non homestead (commercial and investment) properties, as well as much needed relief for first-time buyers,” says Bonfiglio. “Realtors and builders also believe that local governments have a spending problem and that a great solution to their spending is a ‘revenue cap’ applied to all local government revenues.”

Bonfiglio says the two groups also share a commitment to affordable housing and full funding of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust funds, which the Legislature has historically cut back. Heading into 2008, Gov. Charlie Crist has already announced an intention to take money from various trust funds and move it into the general budget.

“We will sign a joint letter to Gov. Crist and legislative leaders this week that insists that Sadowski funds must be used for their intended purpose of creating affordable/workforce housing opportunities,” says Bonfiglio. “We see no better way to jump-start Florida’s economy!”

© 2008 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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