Upper and Middle Keys Habitat Leaders Press Tallahassee for Affordable Homeownership

Local Habitat for Humanity leaders from the Upper and Middle Keys traveled to the State Capitol in Tallahassee to press state lawmakers for policies that would help working families remain in the Keys. The delegation visited the Capitol on Feb. 3 as part of Habitat Florida State Lobby Day, meeting with legislators to urge support for affordable homeownership programs tailored to the region’s workforce.

Scott Goss, executive director for the Upper Keys Habitat, framed the goal succinctly: “Habitat is in the business of affordable homeownership for families who are working in their local communities, and more than anything, want to be a part of the community.” That message, supporters say, speaks to a persistent local dilemma: rising housing and construction costs have put homeownership out of reach for many residents who keep the Keys running - teachers, first responders, service workers and long-time local tradespeople.

Organizers described the Tallahassee trip as part of a broader push by Habitat affiliates to shape policy at state and national levels. While the Keys delegation focused on state officials, Habitat affiliates from across the country were conducting parallel advocacy: a national Hill day in Washington, D.C., began shortly after the Keys visit and drew advocates from 48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Carolina Morrow, executive director of Clay County Habitat for Humanity, urged bold federal action there, saying, “We know that solving the housing crisis requires meaningfully increasing the supply of affordable starter homes. We need bold policy action and we’re committed to partnering with lawmakers who share our desire for every family to have access to a safe, decent and attainable place to call home.”

Local leaders did not release a detailed list of the lawmakers they met or specific bills they supported, but the visit follows a familiar Habitat playbook: combine personal stories about homeowners and prospective buyers with proposals for financing tools and regulatory changes that expand the supply of starter homes. Other affiliates offer concrete examples of the tools under discussion. In South Dakota, Habitat of the Black Hills’ East Creek Village pairs at least 200 hours of sweat equity and financial literacy classes with private mortgages supplemented by zero-interest second mortgages and grant-funded down payment assistance to keep monthly payments below 30 percent of income. Those mechanisms are examples affiliates often point to when discussing what could work in other markets.

The visit also comes as Habitat gears up nationally for its ninth annual Home is the Key awareness and fundraising campaign, timed to amplify fair housing messages in April, and as affiliates encourage supporters to contact elected officials, sign up for action alerts, volunteer and donate locally.

For Keys residents, the Tallahassee trip underscores an ongoing effort to keep the island workforce anchored here. Expect Habitat leaders to press for specific proposals as the legislative session continues; local advocates say they will return with project-level requests and follow-up meetings.