Affordable Housing: How You Can Help

By Joshua A. Carlson

Did you know there is an easy way you can help provide affordable housing for teachers, nurses and others unable to afford a home? There is a specialty license plate designed by the Florida Realtors which does just that.  The proceeds from the sale of the license plate will be used exclusively for housing programs. The plate has a great design to it.

So many times we get caught up in the rat race and we forget about certain things. I am a prime example. I knew about this program back in 2005 when they were trying to pass through legislation. In order for the funds from the purchase of the license plate to become available the bill needed to be sponsored from legislators before it can become law. I remembered I wanted to get this license plate to help out the affordable housing program and was waiting to hear about when it passed legislature. But there was no more news about it so I completely forgot about it. Come to find out that in July 2006, Gov. Bush signed the bill into law.

There are those whom work night and day to protect our streets, teach our children and give medical care to us when we are sick. Many of these people do this because they love their job and helping us out in time of need. They get paid very little. Sometimes so little they cannot afford a place to buy.

On the http://www.flhsmv.gov you can find the ranking of the money spent on specialty license plates. The number one license plate was for the Florida Gators which sold 96,701 plates in 2013 which equates to $2,417,525. In 2013 the “Support Homeownership Program for All” program came in at number 72 which sold 3,172 plates equating to only $79,300 in funds.

It would be great if we were able to get together as a community and raise a significant amount of money for this program. And all you have to do is go online and purchase this specialty license plate. I would love if this program could break into the top 10 in 2014. Are you up for the challenge? I am… I just ordered mine the other day. I wish I knew about it sooner. It only costs $25 on top of what you would pay for registration. You can purchase the license plate online, by mail or at the county tax collector’s office.

Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping someone find a home but you get a pretty cool license plate as well. It’s the least we can do for those who put countless hours into teaching our children or for those whom risk their lives to protect us. If you would like to purchase one you can visit www.flhsmv.gov or visit your local county tax collector’s office. The license plate is called “Support Homeownership Program for All”.

Stay tuned for more tips, community and important information regarding your Home: Inside and Out…