By Miguel Octavio, WTSP
The debate over affordable housing sparked backlash for a second week in a row during the Hillsborough County Commission’s budget hearing.
Dozens spoke for and against reducing the amount of money that goes into the HOPE affordable housing trust fund. Passage of the funds was secured in 2019 and has historically received $10 million for the cause annually.
However, commissioners voted 4-3 to fund it with $2 million.
“We are disappointed that we did not get the $10 million,” Dr. Sheila Simmons Tibble, co-president of HOPE said.
Members of the organization HOPE, which stands for Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality, crowded the meeting once more.
Commissioners Joshua Wostal, Christine Miller, and Donna Cameron Cepeda voted no. Chair Ken Hagan was the swing vote after voting to recommend reallocating the funds entirely for other projects last week.
Supporters said the money has helped keep people employed, and has been crucial in reducing crime and Baker Acts. In addition, it’s been vital to serving some of the most vulnerable from seniors to veterans and also children, they said.
Simmons Tribble said the funds have helped in the creation of at least 1,100 units over the past few years with the majority coming from non-profit builders.
However, those who oppose the funds for affordable housing use said property taxes should be used for other projects including sidewalk repairs and road improvements.
Last year, commissioners also voted to cut funding for the trust fund to $2 million.
Resident Bud Smith spoke up once more during public comments after attending last week’s budget hearing.
“We’re for affordable housing for everyone. We’re just not for using taxpayer dollars to pay for affordable housing,” Smith said.
HOPE members vow to continue pushing to get the maximum amount of money for the trust fund as possible.
“This gives us time to organize because we will be back in 2026 because we’re going to continue to stand tall, speak up, and we will get that $10 million back in the budget,” Simmons Tribble said.
The remaining funds are expected to go into the following:
- $250,000 annually for Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA for four years
- $500,000 annually for Tampa General Hospital’s healthcare workforce affordable housing for four years
- $237,500 annually for Gracepoint Mariposa Women’s Psychiatric Hospital over a four-year period
- $1 million to Veterans Memorial Park improvements
- $2.214 to be split between sidewalks and resurfacing
Chair Hagan also proposed a 0.025 countywide millage reduction, which is slated to eliminate $3.786 million.
View the original story here.
