FloridaFlorida program may reimburse landlords who rent to veterans
A Florida program lets eligible landlords in four counties apply for rent and damage payments when they house veterans using a federal housing program, if lawmakers fund it.
What it does
Landlords in four Florida counties may receive part of the rent while a veteran in a federal housing program waits to move in. The program depends on yearly state funding.
Landlords may seek up to $2,000 for veteran-caused damage above the deposit. They must first have applied for the program’s vacant-home rent funding.
Argument forLandlords may be more willing to hold a home for a veteran with a housing voucher while the veteran waits to move in.
Argument againstLandlords could still bear veteran-caused damage above the $2,000 limit, and limited funds may run out before all approved claims are paid.
More detail
Landlords may apply for funding to cover part of the rent while a home is vacant. The program serves eligible landlords in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties who rent to veterans in the federal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program for homeless veterans. The program depends on annual funding approved by the Legislature. Funds are limited and awarded in application order; the corporation may pause applications when funds are committed. Rent funding covers up to 45 days after the home becomes available, or until the veteran moves in, whichever comes first. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
Landlords may apply for funding for veteran-caused property damage above the deposit. This applies to eligible landlords in the four pilot counties when a veteran in the federal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program moves out. The landlord must have first applied for vacant-home rent funding and provide a move-out checklist, current photos, and written notice to the veteran. The program depends on annual funding approved by the Legislature. Funds are limited and awarded in application order; the corporation may pause applications when funds are committed. This applies when a veteran moves out during the first 12 months of a year-to-year rental agreement, or after a rental agreement of any length expires. Landlords must apply within 60 days after move-out.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-125Latest
- Jun 11Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered engrossed, then enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Returning Messages. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Major
- Mar 11Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (481141)
- Mar 10In returning messages
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10CS passed as amended; YEAS 112, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 10Amendment 481141 adopted
- Mar 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 91st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Mar 9Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
- Mar 9Bill referred to House Calendar
- Mar 5In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 1Passed Senate
- Mar 5Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 3Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/05/26
- Mar 3Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 2Favorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
- Feb 24CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development read 1st time
- Feb 23Now in Appropriations
- Feb 20Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 18CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 14 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 110 Senate Building
- Jan 29CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security read 1st time
- Jan 28Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
- Jan 27Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Jan 26CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; YEAS 4 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22IntroducedMinor
- Jan 21On Committee agenda-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security, 01/26/26, 3:30 pm, 301 Senate Building
- Jan 16Referred to Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; AppropriationsMinor
- Jan 9FiledIntroduced
HousingVeterans