HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN FLORIDA: THE STATE HOUSING TRUST FUND

摘要

This article examines the emerging role of the states in the face of federal devolution by testing the degree to which state housing trust funds meet legislated goals and target identified local housing needs. After outlining defining characteristics based on a review of the literature, this article assesses implementation of the largest housing trust fund in the country. Florida's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program represents a noteworthy model due to its relative longevity, significant level of assistance, and legislated commitment to flexibility and to coordination with housing planning. Do local governments effectively target housing needs given specific trust fund characteristics: facilitating public-private partnerships, particularly with non-profits; flexibly meeting critical housing needs, and informing funding decisions based on local housing plans?