Commissioners repeal HOPE Affordable Housing ordinance as hundreds of residents urge preservation

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 on June 18 to repeal the HOPE Affordable Housing Act ordinance, after a public hearing that drew more than 30 speakers who urged the board to keep the locally controlled funding mechanism.

Commissioners Chris Bowles moved to repeal the ordinance; Commissioner Wolstiel seconded the motion. The measure passed 5-2 with Commissioners Harry Cohen and Gwen Myers voting no.

Supporters of the ordinance — including volunteer organizers with HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality), faith leaders, health-care professionals and local housing advocates — told commissioners the locally controlled fund has helped produce more than 1,100 affordable units since 2019 and leverages additional public and private money. Bernice Powell Jackson, pastor at First United Church of Tampa, said the fund helps “veterans, seniors, families, and people with disabilities” and that HOPE’s role is advocacy and partnership, not direct ownership of funds.

Several presenters cited HUD disaster-relief funding that may provide new dollars for housing but warned federal funds are one-time and subject to restrictions. Lois Price, a HOPE volunteer, said a local fund is “under county control, readily available if needed,” and that local dollars often serve as seed money to leverage state and federal grants. Others, including Justin LaRosa of Hope and medical professionals such as Dr. Neil Manimala, said affordable housing reduces broader costs to health and social systems.

Commissioners in favor of repeal argued the county will invest significant one-time federal and state funds for housing over the coming years and that budget flexibility is needed to meet competing infrastructure and public-safety priorities. Commissioner Joshua Wostel said the board has a duty to prioritize “critical infrastructure” such as roads and sidewalks and noted the board can allocate funds in future budgets if a majority supports it.

County staff advised the board that HUD disaster-relief proposals may deliver substantial funds for housing but that those funds carry restrictions and do not replace a locally controlled, recurring allocation. Several speakers urged the board to maintain or restore the original $10 million annual allocation; some asked instead to change the ordinance’s name to remove political associations while preserving the funding.

Following the vote, commissioners and advocates said they will continue discussions about affordable housing sources and program design. The repeal removes the ordinance-level annual allocation requirement; it does not itself prohibit the board from directing budgeted money to affordable housing in future annual budgets.