Nearly 140 new Florida laws took effect in July, including Senate Bill 594, which opens $167 million in state affordable housing funding to manufactured and mobile home owners. The law allows residents to use these funds for emergency repairs, lot rent assistance, and storm-hardening retrofits. The change came after an investigation revealed a critical vulnerability in Florida's housing stock: nearly 700,000 homes, representing about two-thirds of the state's more than 1 million mobile and manufactured homes, were built before current federal safety standards and cannot withstand modern storms. Many seniors living in these older homes cannot afford to make the necessary improvements to protect themselves and their families.
The investigation was sparked by an EF-3 tornado that destroyed homes at Spanish Lakes Country Club in Fort Pierce, killing six residents and destroying 138 homes. Homeowners across Florida subsequently pleaded with lawmakers for assistance, leading to the passage and implementation of Senate Bill 594. Julie Stellatos with Martin County Human Services explained that an online portal will open in August for eligible applicants. About 75 percent of Martin County's annual SHIP funding, which typically ranges from $1 million to $1.5 million, could now support mobile and manufactured homeowners. Residents can complete applications online or request that the office mail them a copy.
The five-county region is preparing to launch the program with varying timelines. Okeechobee County is updating its local housing assistance plan to comply with the new law and plans to offer lot rent, rehabilitation, and emergency repair assistance once the program opens. St. Lucie County is awaiting final guidance from the state before announcing its application process. Indian River County officials scheduled a Board meeting for August 18th to address the legislative change, with a September 30th deadline to submit their implementation plan to the state. According to Stellatos, while counties follow a general calendar from the Florida Housing Coalition, the specific timing varies by location.
People interested in applying should visit the Florida Housing Finance Corporation website and select their county or city to learn about available funding, check income eligibility requirements, find contact information, and understand the application process. Stellatos emphasized that funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants should gather their paperwork immediately to be ready when applications open in their area. She noted that the new law addresses a long-standing gap, finally providing assistance to residents who previously had no access to these resources.