Hillsborough commissioners consider withdrawing $10 million from affordable housing fund

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA – Hillsborough County’s affordable housing crisis is expected to be highlighted Thursday night when residents on opposing sides of a funding dispute present their concerns to commissioners.

The county’s proposed fiscal 2025 budget, which is set to be adopted Thursday night, includes $10 million in “HOPE” funding, named for the local grassroots coalition that fought to pass the funding in 2019.

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Since then, the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality reports that the funding has enabled the construction of a total of 1,700 homes, helping seniors and low-income families.

But some argue that taxpayer money would be better spent elsewhere. In 2024, commissioners voted to divert $8 million from the housing fund to build roads and repair sidewalks in the county.

Now funding is back in the spotlight, with the board preparing to hear recommendations on redistributing the money to additional infrastructure projects.

Thursday’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room of the County Center, 601 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. It can be viewed online here . There will be a time for public comment, but the registration window is now closed.

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A public hearing on the county’s capital improvement program will be held following the budget hearing.