Hillsborough County Commissioners Wednesday took a step toward creating its first dedicated source of money for affordable housing. It comes after other money has been repeatedly diverted from a state housing fund.
The move wouldn’t create a dedicated trust fund, which supporters had pushed for. But the vote does direct Hillsborough County to try to find $10 million in the upcoming budget, and every year after. It would help people who are being priced out of the area’s housing market to cover the cost.
County Commissioner Pat Kemp said she committed to supporting the fund during a visit two weeks ago to the community group HOPE, the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality. That group has been pressing for a solution to burgeoning housing costs.