Affordable Housing Study Commission.

Because the Legislature firmly supports affordable housing in Florida for all economic classes:

(1) There is created the Affordable Housing Study Commission, which shall be composed of 21 members to be appointed by the Governor:

(a) One citizen actively engaged in the residential home building industry.

(b) One citizen actively engaged in the home mortgage lending profession.

(c) One citizen actively engaged in the real estate sales profession.

(d) One citizen actively engaged in apartment development.

(e) One citizen actively engaged in the management and operation of a rental housing development.

(f) Two citizens who represent very-low-income and low-income persons.

(g) One citizen representing a community-based organization with experience in housing development.

(h) One citizen representing a community-based organization with experience in housing development in a community with a population of less than 50,000 persons.

(i) Two citizens who represent elderly persons’ housing interests.

(j) One representative of regional planning councils.

(k) One representative of the Florida League of Cities.

(l) One representative of the Florida Association of Counties.

(m) Two citizens representing statewide growth management organizations.

(n) One citizen of the state to serve as chair of the commission.

(o) One citizen representing a residential community developer.

(p) One member who is a resident of the state.

(q) One representative from a local housing authority.

(r) One citizen representing the housing interests of homeless persons.

(2)(a) Members shall be appointed for 4-year staggered terms, except that the citizen serving as chair shall be appointed to serve a 2-year term and except that a vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for all necessary expenses in the performance of their duties, including travel expenses, in accordance with s. 112.061.

(b) The Governor may remove or suspend a member for cause, including, but not limited to, failure to attend at least 3 meetings of the commission during any 12-month period.

(3) The corporation shall supply such information, assistance, and facilities as are deemed necessary for the commission to carry out its duties under this section and shall provide such staff assistance as is necessary for the performance of required clerical and administrative functions of the commission.

(4) The commission shall analyze those solutions and programs which could begin to address the state’s acute need for housing for the homeless; for very-low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons; and for elderly persons, including programs or proposals which provide for:

(a) Offering low-interest and zero-interest loans for the development or rehabilitation of housing;

(b) Use of publicly owned lands and buildings as affordable housing sites;

(c) Coordination with federal initiatives, including development of an approved housing strategy;

(d) Streamlining the various state, regional, and local regulations, and housing and building codes governing the housing industry;

(e) Stimulation of public and private cooperative housing efforts;

(f) Implementation or expansion of the programs authorized in this chapter;

(g) Discovery and assessment of funding sources for low-cost housing construction and rehabilitation; and

(h) Development of such other solutions and programs as the commission deems appropriate.

In performing its analysis, the commission shall consider both homeownership and rental housing as viable options for the provision of housing. The commission shall also give consideration to various types of residential construction, including but not limited to, manufactured housing.

(5) The commission shall review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding existing and proposed housing programs and initiatives. The commission shall provide these and any other housing recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and the executive director of the corporation.

(6) The commission shall distribute its meeting notices, minutes, and recommendations to state agencies responsible for the delivery of services to or the analysis of issues concerning the elderly.

(7) By July 15 of each year, the commission shall prepare and submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report detailing its findings and making specific program, legislative, and funding recommendations and any other recommendations it deems appropriate.

(8) The commission shall recommend studies to be conducted for affordable housing.