SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/CS/CS/HB 1481

Housing for Veterans
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SPONSOR
Commerce Committee; Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee; Rosenwald; Daley
FILED BY
Mitch Rosenwald — District 98, Democrat [search donations]
Dan Daley — District 96, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
CS/CS/SB 1602 — CS/CS/CS/HB 1481 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Housing.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Housing for Veterans; Establishes Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requires Florida Housing Finance Corporation, in consultation with other entities & persons, to oversee specified aspects of pilot program; provides responsibilities of corporation for pilot program; requires contracted program administrators to maintain certain functions of pilot program; authorizes certain landlords to apply to contracted program administrator to request funding from Vacancy Relief & Risk Mitigation Trust Fund; provides purpose of such trust fund; provides requirements to request funding from trust fund; requires certain case managers to assist contracted program administrator; requires contracted program administrator to maintain & provide certain documentation to corporation; requires entity responsible for certain functions to maintain any supporting documentation; authorizes corporation to rely on certifications, determinations, & documentation provided by specified entities; provides that funding for pilot program is awarded on first-come, first-served basis; authorizes corporation to suspend acceptance of applications; requires specified notice.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Compensates landlords for veteran housing vacancies and damages.

Landlords in four counties can receive up to 45 days of rent if a veteran delays moving in. This payment covers the vacancy period until the veteran occupies the unit.

Landlords can claim up to $2,000 for property damage exceeding the security deposit if a veteran leaves early. This reimbursement requires prior application for the initial vacancy payment.

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation oversees the program but relies on local partners for verification. It may stop accepting applications once available funds are fully obligated.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Establishes a pilot program in four counties majors. 83.684(3)

AICreates a new state program in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties that pays landlords for vacant units and property damage caused by veterans in a federal housing program.

“The Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program is established in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties to provide eligible landlords with” bill text, line 4 →
§ 2 Pays landlords for up to 45 days of vacancy majors. 83.684(4)(a)

AIAllows a landlord to receive proportional rent for a unit that is vacant while waiting for a veteran to move in, capped at 45 days or the actual move-in date.

“Such trust fund provides proportional rent to eligible landlords for a period of up to 45 days after the date the dwelling unit becomes available” bill text, line 88 →
§ 3 Pays landlords up to $2,000 for property damage majors. 83.684(5)(a)

AIAllows a landlord to receive up to $2,000 to cover property damage caused by a veteran that exceeds the security deposit, if the veteran moves out within the first 12 months of a year-to-year lease.

“The landlord may apply for up to $2,000 beyond the deposit money.” bill text, line 129 →
§ 4 Requires landlords to apply for vacancy funding first moderates. 83.684(5)(d)

AIProhibits a landlord from applying for property damage funding unless they have previously applied for the vacancy funding described in the prior subsection.

“A landlord may apply for funding under paragraph (a) only if the landlord previously applied for funding under paragraph (4)(a).” bill text, line 151 →
§ 5 Awards limited funds on a first-come, first-served basis moderates. 83.684(6)

AIRequires the corporation to award funds in the order applications are received and allows it to stop accepting applications when the annual budget is fully spent.

“the corporation shall award funds on a first-come, first-served basis. The corporation may suspend acceptance of applications when available appropriations are fully obligated.” bill text, line 154 →
TIMELINE
3/10/2026
Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 1602 (Ch. 2026-125 )
3/5/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
3/5/2026
Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading
3/2/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/5/2026)
2/26/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/25/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 3)
2/25/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/25/2026
CS Filed
2/25/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/25/2026
Reported out of Commerce Committee
2/24/2026
Favorable with CS by Commerce Committee
2/20/2026
Added to Commerce Committee agenda
2/13/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
2/13/2026
Now in Commerce Committee
2/13/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
2/12/2026
CS Filed
2/12/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/12/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/12/2026
Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/10/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
2/9/2026
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/9/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
2/9/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/9/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/6/2026
CS Filed
2/6/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/6/2026
Reported out of Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
2/5/2026
Favorable with CS by Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
2/3/2026
Added to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee agenda
1/15/2026
Now in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
1/15/2026
Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/9/2026
Filed
30 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 83.684
+999 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES