THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE STAKES ARE HIGHER THAN EVER

With the federal government shut down and SNAP benefits at risk of delays or reductions, working families face increasing uncertainty. Meanwhile, as Congress struggles to reach a budget agreement, with no resolution in sight, proposals remain on the table to sharply cut vital housing programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and housing vouchers.

The hard truth is that even when government is open, outdated systems and red tape still slow progress—delaying funds and keeping resources from reaching the families and communities who need them most.

In a recent Governing op-ed, our President and CEO Mandy Bartle urged Congress to strengthen—not slash—these lifelines by modernizing funding formulas and improving efficiency. She noted that faster permitting, fewer redundant reviews, and clearer guidance could help turn federal dollars into affordable homes more quickly. Mandy also shared her perspective in a Shelterforce feature titled What Does CDBG Do?, underscoring how critical these federal investments are to local communities.

Earlier this year, Mandy also carried that message to Washington, D.C., joining the Delray Beach Community Land Trust and Grounded Solutions Network to advocate for continued federal investment in affordable housing, an urgent need in South Florida, one of the nation’s least affordable markets.

Now more than ever, strong federal housing programs are essential to keeping communities stable and families housed.

GRANTS

AWARD TO HELP US MAKE HOMES SAFER FROM THE GROUND UP

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $1.2 million grant to a coalition led by the South Florida Regional Planning Council that includes the South Florida Community Land Trust, The Allapattah Collaborative CDC, and the City of Miami. Together, we’ll work to clean up land and housing that may contain hazardous substances, transforming these sites into safe, healthy spaces that could one day become affordable homes, parks, and places for the community to gather.

For us, this means testing land near train lines before purchase, inspecting older apartments for hazards like lead or asbestos, and creating plans to address any issues we find. We’ll also host community conversations and workshops to ensure redevelopment reflects what neighbors want. Starting October 1, this four-year grant will support our efforts to build homes that are affordable, safe, healthy, and shaped by the people who live in them.

RESEARCH

EXPLORING NEW WAYS TO FINANCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

We just completed new research on innovative financial models for building and preserving affordable housing. We studied projects across the country to better understand the creative ways they were financed, from unique public-private partnerships to new lending tools, and examined how those approaches might work here in South Florida.

The findings offer practical ideas for local projects and insights that could be applied in other markets nationwide. This research is a step toward expanding the toolkit for creating affordable homes.

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