Hillsborough County Reduces Affordable Housing Fund by $8 Million

Hillsborough County has decided to remove $8 million from its affordable housing fund in next year’s budget, following a heated public hearing. The Board of County Commissioners voted 4-3 on Thursday to reduce the $10 million HOPE fund—designed to support affordable housing projects—down to just $2 million.

Commissioner Gwen Myers, who proposed an amendment to reduce rather than eliminate the funding, said this compromise echoes a similar decision made by the commission last year. Commissioners Joshua Wostal, Christine Miller, and Donna Cameron Cepeda opposed the reduction.

Myers emphasized the ongoing affordable housing crisis and stated she could not support completely eliminating the funding.

"I’d rather not see it at $0, but with $2 million, we can still make some progress," Myers said. "If we zero it out, nothing will happen next fiscal year."

The remaining $8 million was reallocated to various county projects. Approximately $3.8 million went toward a 0.025 countywide millage rate reduction, while the rest was distributed as follows:

- $2.214 million for resurfacing and sidewalk improvements
- $1 million for upgrades at Veterans Memorial Park
- $500,000 annually over four years for Tampa General Hospital’s affordable housing initiative
- $250,000 annually over four years for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA
- $237,500 annually over four years for Gracepoint Women’s Psychiatric Hospital

Commissioner Joshua Wostal initially called for the complete removal of the HOPE fund, arguing that it was a financial burden on taxpayers. He expressed frustration with the board’s decision to reallocate the funds, citing a lack of detailed information on how the money would be spent.

"Since it seems like this is being forced through, I may bring a motion to vacate the chair at the next Board of County Commissioners meeting," Wostal said Thursday night.