Florida progressives are calling on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to declare a state of emergency due to an affordable housing crisis, and DeSantis is redirecting the angst toward President Joe Biden (D) and Democrats whose policies he says are raising rent costs.
More than approximately two dozen Florida Democrat lawmakers penned a letter saying Floridians can no longer afford to pay rent and called on Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) to “enact price gouging consumer protections for renters.”
“We’re calling on #DeSantis to declare a state of emergency on housing affordability!” said Florida State Rep. Carlos G. Smith (D-FL-49) on Twitter. “Floridians can’t afford Florida with unconscionable rent hikes above 10%. It’s past time to direct @AGAshleyMoody to enact price gouging consumer protections for renters! #HousingCrisisFL”
We're calling on #DeSantis to declare a state of emergency on housing affordability! Floridians can't afford Florida with unconscionable rent hikes above 10%. It's past time to direct @AGAshleyMoody to enact price gouging consumer protections for renters! 🏠 #HousingCrisisFL pic.twitter.com/LJAAZZ821d
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) December 16, 2021
In response, DeSantis said Biden is to blame for the increase in cost-of-living rates.
“We should take that letter, and we should forward it to Joe Biden in the White House, because things are more expensive because of his policies,” DeSantis said.
In an official statement provided to WPBF, DeSantis’ office reiterated his budget proposals includes “full funding for the affordable housing trust funds.”
“The Governor’s budget recommendations have provided full funding for the affordable housing trust funds every year he has been in office, which includes record funding levels in the Freedom First budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year,” DeSantis’ team said. “Additionally, Governor DeSantis vetoed the sweep of the affordable housing trust fund included in the current year budget and recommended appropriation of those funds for affordable workforce housing programs to expand access to homeownership.”
DeSantis’ office also redirected blame to Smith and fellow Democrats for, what they say, are “irresponsible policies and reckless spending.”
“Perhaps Representative Smith should instead raise his concerns about the rising cost of living with his fellow Democrats, who control Congress and the White House,” DeSantis said. “By enacting irresponsible policies and reckless spending at the federal level, the socialists who call themselves Democrats are driving up the prices of necessities across the board.”
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Ron DeSantis” by U.S. Secretary of Defense. CC BY 2.0. Background Photo “Apartment Building, Bal Harbour, Florida” by Phillip Pessar. CC BY 2.0.
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