Residents, faith leaders urge Hillsborough County commissioners to restore $10 million to HOPE affordable housing fund

Dozens of residents, clergy and community organizers urged the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on April 16 to restore $10,000,000 to the HOPE Affordable Housing Fund for the 2026 budget.

The appeals came during the meeting’s 45-minute public-comment period, where more than 20 speakers signed up and multiple representatives of the HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality) coalition described last week’s Nehemiah Action, saying about 1,200 people attended and pressed the board to fully fund the county’s affordable-housing program.

Why it matters: Speakers said restoring the $10 million would expand housing for seniors, working families, veterans and other vulnerable residents and would leverage state,…