Subcommittee approves pilot to help landlords take HUD‑VASH vouchers, creates vacancy‑relief and risk‑mitigation funds

Representatives Rosenwald and Daley presented HB 1481, a pilot program intended to expand landlord participation in HUD‑VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) voucher placements. The pilot would operate in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough and Santa Rosa counties. The bill would make landlords eligible for vacancy‑relief payments to cover proportional rent for up to 45 days after a unit becomes available or until the veteran moves in, and for risk‑mitigation trust funds that cover property loss up to $2,000 beyond the security deposit.

Sponsor said Florida Housing Finance Corporation and local public housing authorities would help administer the program; implementation is contingent on an annual legislative appropriation and HB 1483 establishes the trust‑fund financing structure for the pilot. Witnesses including United Way Broward County registered support on the record. The committee reported both HB 1481 and the tied HB 1483 favorably.