TALLAHASSEE – Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has become the least affordable state in the nation while developers, corporate landlords, property insurers, and fossil fuel interests run wild and rake in record profits from Floridians. Today, Florida For All, a coalition of grassroots racial and economic justice organizations, released a report titled “Priced Out of Paradise,” detailing more than $90 million dollars in campaign contributions to Florida Republican politicians from developers, corporate landlords, private equity firms, fossil fuel companies, property insurers, and big real estate interests. 

The report suggests that Florida’s housing affordability crisis is a policy choice by state leaders. Greedy corporations, multinational investors, and the ultra-wealthy are raking in record profits while Floridians are being priced out of the state they call home while Republican leaders have accepted millions in campaign contributions from those same industry players. “When you follow the money, it’s very clear why Florida’s housing affordability crisis is the worst in the nation,” said Andrea Mercado, Executive Director of Florida Rising, a member organization of Florida For All. “While many Floridians are a paycheck away from losing their homes and face unprecedented years of recovery following the devastation of Hurricane Ian, Governor DeSantis and Republican leaders have raised over $90 million dollars in campaign contributions from those same unaccountable developers, corporate landlords, property insurers, and energy companies who are price-gouging Floridians. That’s why across the state, homeowners and renters are united to demand accountability and housing for all.”