Florida could be about to get a lot more living space

Florida is considering accessory dwelling units (ADUS), better known as “grandma apartments”, in residential areas nationwide if it tries to fight a continued lack of affordable houses in the Sunshine State.

While the current legislation states that local governments can allow Grandma apartments – independent living spaces to houses or real estate – new bills can demand that they do this.

Why is it important

In recent years, Florida-in Texas-Die has built the latest houses in the nation, which have been controlled by a large influx outside the state during pandemic.

While the promotion of the inventory in some of the overheated markets of the state now contributes to reducing real estate prices into these metros, Florida is still fighting with a lack of affordable houses. Real estate prices are still increasing at the state level: In February, the average sales price of a home in the Sunshine State State was $ 411,400, which, according to Redfin data, corresponds to 0.8 percent compared to the previous year.

In addition to the real estate prices, homeowners in the state are fighting with the HOA fees (Rising Homeowners Association), high real estate insurance premiums and other growing housing costs, which the Floridians are increasingly exercising and forcing them to sell and move their houses.

What to know?

At the beginning of this month, the Florida Senate approved two invoices SB 184 and HB 247-, which the cities and counties of the state would request to build grandma apartments in residential areas with single-family houses. There would be exceptions for planned developments in the units or master -planned communities.

Grandma flats, which are essentially available to existing properties with their independent living rooms, usually have their own kitchen, a bathroom and a sleeping area. They can be made from converted parts of an existing home, they can be connected to an existing property or can be completely replaced.

According to the legislator, these houses are, who drive the invoices, build cheaper and cost less to rent what, means that they would represent an affordable option for Floridas with low income.

SB 184, who was submitted in January by sponsor Sen. Don Gaetz, a Republican of Niceville, was unanimously approved on Tuesday, March 11th, by the transport, the committee for transport, tourism and the Economic Development Appriactions. HB 247 was created with 15-2 by the housing, agricultural and tourism subcommission on the same day.

The invoices made certain restrictions.

While the grandmother apartments were also exposed to property taxes, homeowners do not lose their exceptions to Homestead real estate if they add such extensions. A change from GAETZ to SB 184 At the beginning of this month would also prevent grandma apartments from being used as a short-term rental-a problem that was addressed during the discussion about the invoice.

Newsweek contacted on Monday morning outside the standard working hours by e -mail to Gaetz 'office.

What people say

Senator Don Gaetz said, in front of the committee for the transport of the Senate, approved tourism and economic development unanimously on Tuesday SB 184: “ADUS (AccessoRe residential units) increase the housing construction of the workforce, since the north cost less for the construction, less rent them, and they are often in urban areas where employees have to live in order to be close to their work.”

Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat of Orlando, said in a explanation registered by CBS News: “We have a real affordable housing crisis in the state of Florida, and a large part of this crisis has everything to do with care or a lack of care. If you bring this in -house to expand the supply of housing, this is a great idea that should be encouraged.”

What happens next

Gaetz 'SB 184 must vacate the committee for the Senate before promotion to the full Senate.

If the draft law was made by legislation, governor Ron Deantis would then be to sign it into the law. In this case, the invoice would come into force on July 1st.