Housing for Veterans

The text was changed from a generic 'Trust Fund' to specific 'funds' to clarify that the program provides direct reimbursements rather than a single pooled trust.

Added a specific provision allowing landlords to request up to $2,000 in additional funding to cover property damage that exceeds the security deposit if a veteran moves out.

Established a mandatory sequence where a landlord must first apply for vacancy relief funding before they are eligible to apply for damage reimbursement funding.

Added a specific requirement for landlords to submit a move-out checklist with photos and written notice to the program administrator after a veteran vacates.

Clarified the definition of 'Veterans' Affairs' to include an apostrophe ('Veterans' Affairs') for grammatical accuracy.

Changed the effective date from 'contingent' (dependent on future legislative action) to a fixed date of July 1, 2026.

Responsibility for handling landlord applications, documentation, and case-level records was transferred from the Corporation to contracted program administrators.

A specific definition was added for the 'HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program' to clarify the target population.

A contingent effective date was added, requiring a related bill (SB 1604) to be passed before this act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

New requirements were added for landlords to submit move-out documentation and photos after a veteran vacates the unit.

The Corporation is now authorized to suspend the acceptance of applications if available funds are exhausted.

Landlords must now submit a move-out checklist with photos and a copy of the written notice provided to the veteran to apply for the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund.

A landlord can only apply for the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund if they have previously applied for the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund.

The bill explicitly states that funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The relationship between the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and case managers was changed from 'in conjunction with' to 'in consultation with,' clarifying the level of collaboration required.

A contingent effective date of July 1, 2026, was added, making the law's start date dependent on the adoption of SB 1604 or similar legislation.

Minor formatting and text cleanup, including standardizing the header information and removing draft-specific metadata.