Florida 2026 Session Status: To Executive 1 R cosponsors

SB 1602 — Housing for Veterans

Last action — Chapter No. 2026-125

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 09, 2026. It awaits signature.

Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican) on June 09, 2026.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 64% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 7 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill establishes a pilot program to incentivize landlords to provide housing for veterans.

The Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program is created to support landlords in offering housing to veterans. Landlords can apply for funding after submitting required documentation.

What this means for you
  • Families: Veteran families may benefit from increased housing availability through this pilot program.
  • Small Business: If you're a landlord, this means you can apply for financial assistance to help house veterans.

Summary

Housing for Veterans; Creating the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act”; establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requiring a landlord to submit to the contracted program administrator required documentation within a specified time period to apply for funding; authorizing a landlord to apply for up to a specified dollar amount from the funds, etc.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

147 added · 187 removed

147 line(s) added, 187 removed.

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Previous
Latest
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1602 By the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development;
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1602 By the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security;
the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security;
and Senator Wright 583-02213-26 20261602c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to housing for veterans;
and Senator Wright 606-03021-26 20261602c2 A bill to be entitled An act relating to housing for veterans;
establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation;
establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties for a specified purpose;
requiring the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, in consultation with other entities and persons, to establish and oversee specified aspects of the pilot program;
providing that implementation of the pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriations;
providing the responsibilities of the corporation for the pilot program;
requiring the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, in consultation with other entities and persons, to oversee the pilot program;
requiring contracted program administrators to maintain certain functions of the pilot program;
authorizing certain landlords to apply to the corporation to receive funding from the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund and the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund under certain circumstances;
authorizing certain landlords to apply to a contracted program administrator to request funding from the Vacancy Relief and Risk Mitigation Trust Fund under certain circumstances;
providing the purpose of such trust funds;
providing the purpose of such trust fund;
requiring a landlord to submit to the corporation specified documentation within a specified timeframe to apply for either trust fund;
requiring a landlord to submit to the contracted program administrator required documentation within a specified time period to apply for the trust fund;
requiring certain case managers to assist the corporation;
requiring certain case managers to assist the contracted program administrator;
authorizing a landlord to apply for up to a specified dollar amount from the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund;
requiring the contracted program administrator to maintain and provide certain documentation to the corporation;
providing a requirement to apply for the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund;
requiring the entity responsible for certain functions to maintain any supporting documentation;
providing that funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis;
authorizing the corporation to rely on certifications, determinations, and documentation provided by specified entities;
authorizing a landlord to apply Page 1 of 6 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1602 606-03021-26 20261602c2 for up to a specified dollar amount from the trust fund;
providing requirements to apply for the trust fund;
providing that funding for the pilot program is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis;
authorizing the corporation to suspend the acceptance of applications under certain circumstances;
requiring specified notice;
Section 83.684, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
Section 83.684, Florida Statutes, is created to Page 1 of 5 CODING:
83.684 Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program.— (1) This section may be cited as the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act.” (2) As used in this section, the term:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1602 583-02213-26 20261602c1 read:
83.684 Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program.— (1) This section may be cited as the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program.” (2) As used in this section, the term:
(b) “HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program” means a program that combines the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s housing choice voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) “Ledger” means a historical, physical ledger that serves as the official records of a veteran, including a veteran’s eligibility for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher with subsidy.
The term also includes a digitized system that contains and stores the same information as the physical ledger.
(3) The Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Page 2 of 6 CODING:
(3) The Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program is established in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties to provide landlords with incentives to address veteran homelessness.
Implementation of this pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriations.
The corporation, in consultation with the local public housing authority and case managers assigned to veterans by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, shall establish and oversee the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund, the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund, the applications for such trust funds, the document requirements, and all processes of the pilot program.
Page 2 of 5 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1602 606-03021-26 20261602c2 Pilot Program is established in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa Counties to provide eligible landlords with incentives to lease eligible dwelling units to veterans who are participating in the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1602 583-02213-26 20261602c1 (4)(a) A landlord who enters into a rental agreement with an eligible veteran may apply to the corporation to receive funding from the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund created under s.
Implementation of this pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriation.
420.56.
The corporation, in consultation with the local public housing authority and case managers assigned to veterans by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, shall establish and oversee the Vacancy Relief and Risk Mitigation Trust Fund, the applications for such trust fund, the document requirements, and all processes of the pilot program.
The purpose of the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund is to allow a landlord to hold a dwelling unit for a period of time, and still be compensated for the time that the dwelling unit is vacant, until the veteran is able to move in to the dwelling unit.
The corporation’s responsibilities under this section are limited to program administration, including rulemaking, oversight, and establishing and executing contracts with one or more local public housing authorities, contracted program administrators, or other public or nonprofit entities that have experience administering the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, supportive housing, or landlord mitigation programs to perform intake, documentation review, and claim verification functions to locally administer the funds in the Vacancy Relief and Risk Mitigation Trust Fund and to distribute funding to the contracted program administrator for payment of approved reimbursement requests.
The Vacancy Relief Trust Fund provides proportional rent to eligible landlords for a period of up to 45 days after the date the dwelling unit becomes available or until the actual date that the veteran moves into the dwelling unit, whichever is sooner.
The corporation is not responsible for maintaining eligibility files, tenancy records, or other case-level documentation for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
(b) To apply for the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund, a landlord must submit all required documentation to the corporation within 60 days after the veteran moves into the dwelling unit.
Such functions shall be maintained by the contracted program administrator.
The case manager assigned to the veteran must assist the corporation by facilitating trust fund requests from landlords and documentation compliance.
(4)(a) A landlord who enters into a rental agreement with an eligible veteran may apply to a contracted program Page 3 of 6 CODING:
At a minimum, a landlord must submit to the corporation all of the following:
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1.
A completed application, as determined by the corporation.
2.
The signed rental agreement between the landlord and the veteran.
3.
The turnover paperwork for the dwelling unit.
4.
A copy of the move-in checklist with current photos of the dwelling unit.
5.
A copy of the veteran’s ledger or other proof, as received by the corporation, that the veteran is eligible for rental assistance under the United States Department of Housing Page 3 of 5 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1602 606-03021-26 20261602c2 administrator to request funding from the Vacancy Relief and Risk Mitigation Trust Fund created under s.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1602 583-02213-26 20261602c1 and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, as implemented by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and public housing authorities.
420.56 for the purpose of allowing a landlord to hold a dwelling unit for a period of time, and still be compensated for the time that the dwelling unit is vacant, until the veteran is able to move into the dwelling unit.
(5)(a) If a veteran moves out of the dwelling unit during the first 12 months of a year-to-year rental agreement or after the expiration of a rental agreement for any duration, the landlord may apply to the corporation to receive funding from the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund created under s.
Such trust fund provides proportional rent to eligible landlords for a period of up to 45 days after the date the dwelling unit becomes available or until the actual date that the veteran moves into the dwelling unit, whichever is sooner.
420.56.
(b) To apply for funding under paragraph (a), a landlord must submit all required documentation to the contracted program administrator within 60 days after the veteran moves into the dwelling unit.
The Risk Mitigation Trust Fund is designed to cover property loss at the dwelling unit caused by the veteran which extends beyond the amount of the deposit money.
The case manager assigned to the veteran shall assist the contracted program administrator by facilitating trust fund requests from landlords and documentation compliance.
The contracted program administrator shall maintain all documentation required under this subsection and provide the corporation with a certification of eligibility, tenancy dates, and verified costs within the timeframe established by the corporation by rule.
At a minimum, a landlord shall submit documentation to the contracted program administrator in the form and manner established by the corporation.
Required supporting documentation necessary to confirm eligibility for reimbursement and oversight shall be maintained by the entity responsible for case management or rental assistance administration in the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
(c) The corporation may rely on certifications, Page 4 of 6 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1602 606-03021-26 20261602c2 determinations, and documentation provided by public housing authorities, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, providers of Supportive Services for Veteran Families, continuums of care, or other entities responsible for administering or supporting the functions of the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
The corporation’s reliance on such certifications, determinations, and documentation satisfies the corporation’s oversight and evaluation responsibilities of the functions, activities, and outcomes for the pilot program.
(5)(a) If a veteran moves out of the dwelling unit during the first 12 months of a year-to-year rental agreement or after the expiration of a rental agreement for any duration, the landlord may apply to the contracted program administrator for funding from the Vacancy Relief and Risk Mitigation Trust Fund created under s.
420.56 to cover property loss at the dwelling unit caused by the veteran which exceeds the amount of the deposit money.
(b) To apply for funding under paragraph (a), a landlord must submit all required documentation to the contracted program administrator within 60 days after the veteran moves out of the dwelling unit.
(b) To apply for the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund, a landlord must submit all required documentation to the corporation within 60 days after the veteran moves into the dwelling unit.
The case manager assigned to the veteran shall assist the contracted program administrator by facilitating trust fund requests from landlords and documentation compliance.
The case manager assigned to the veteran must assist the corporation by facilitating trust fund requests from landlords and documentation compliance.
The contracted program administrator shall maintain all documentation required under this subsection and provide the corporation, within the timeframe established by rule, a certification of eligibility, tenancy dates, verified damage Page 5 of 6 CODING:
At a minimum, a landlord must submit to the corporation all of the following:
1.
A completed application, as determined by the corporation.
2.
The signed rental agreement between the landlord and the veteran.
3.
The turnover paperwork for the dwelling unit.
4.
A copy of the move-in checklist with current photos of the dwelling unit.
5.
A copy of the veteran’s ledger or other proof, as received by the corporation, that the veteran is eligible for rental assistance under the United States Department of Housing Page 4 of 5 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 1602 606-03021-26 20261602c2 amounts, and verified costs.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 1602 583-02213-26 20261602c1 and Urban Development - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, as implemented by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and public housing authorities.
Required supporting documentation necessary to confirm eligibility for reimbursement and oversight shall be maintained by the entity responsible for case management or rental assistance administration in the HUD- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
6.
(c) After the veteran vacates the dwelling unit, the landlord shall provide the contracted program administrator a copy of the move-out checklist with current photos of the dwelling unit and a copy of the written notice provided to the veteran by the landlord in accordance with s.
After the veteran vacates the dwelling unit, a copy of the move-out checklist with current photos of the dwelling unit and a copy of the written notice provided to the veteran by the landlord in accordance with s.
(d) A landlord may apply for funding under paragraph (a) only if the landlord previously applied for funding under paragraph (4)(a).
(c) A landlord may apply for the Risk Mitigation Trust Fund only if the landlord previously applied to the Vacancy Relief Trust Fund.
(6) Funding for the pilot program is limited, and the corporation shall award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
(6) Funding for the pilot program is limited and the corporation shall award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
The corporation may suspend acceptance of applications when available appropriations are fully obligated.
The corporation must notify contracted program administrators if intake of applications is suspended and when intake of applications is resumed.
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Action History

  1. Chapter No. 2026-125

  2. Approved by Governor

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

  4. Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

  5. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 821

  6. Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (481141) -SJ 821

  7. In returning messages

  8. CS passed as amended; YEAS 112, NAYS 0

  9. Read 3rd time

  10. Added to Third Reading Calendar

  11. Amendment 481141 adopted

  12. Read 2nd time

  13. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

  14. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)

  15. Bill referred to House Calendar

  16. In Messages

  17. CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 1 -SJ 610

  18. Read 3rd time -SJ 610

  19. Read 2nd time -SJ 610

  20. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/05/26

  21. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

  22. Favorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0

  23. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

  24. CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development read 1st time

  25. Now in Appropriations

  26. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  27. CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 14 NAYS 0

  28. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 110 Senate Building

  29. CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security read 1st time

  30. Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

  31. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  32. CS by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; YEAS 4 NAYS 0

  33. Introduced

  34. On Committee agenda-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security, 01/26/26, 3:30 pm, 301 Senate Building

  35. Referred to Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Appropriations

  36. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 163 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (163)

163 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 163 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Returning Messages

Passed 37 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 10000
Republican 26001
Unaffiliated 1000
No Party Affiliation 0001
Total 37002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (39)
Member Party Vote
Smith — Yea
Arrington, Kristen Aston Democrat Yea
Berman, Lori Democrat Yea
Bernard, Mack Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Yea
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Sharief, Barbara Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Not Voting
Albritton, Ben Republican Yea
Boyd, Jim Republican Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Brodeur, Jason Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Burton, Colleen Republican Yea
Calatayud, Alexis Republican Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Gruters, Joe Republican Yea
Harrell, Gayle Republican Yea
Hooper, Ed Republican Yea
Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. Republican Yea
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Yea
McClain, Stan Republican Yea
Passidomo, Kathleen Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Ana Maria Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Truenow, Keith L. Republican Yea
Trumbull, Jay Republican Not Voting
Vacant Republican Yea
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading

Passed 36 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9001
Republican 25101
Unaffiliated 1000
No Party Affiliation 1000
Total 36102
% of votes cast 92%3%0%5%
How each member voted (39)
Member Party Vote
Smith — Yea
Arrington, Kristen Aston Democrat Yea
Berman, Lori Democrat Yea
Bernard, Mack Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Not Voting
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Sharief, Barbara Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Yea
Albritton, Ben Republican Nay
Boyd, Jim Republican Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Brodeur, Jason Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Burton, Colleen Republican Yea
Calatayud, Alexis Republican Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Gruters, Joe Republican Yea
Harrell, Gayle Republican Yea
Hooper, Ed Republican Yea
Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. Republican Yea
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Yea
McClain, Stan Republican Yea
Passidomo, Kathleen Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Ana Maria Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Truenow, Keith L. Republican Yea
Trumbull, Jay Republican Yea
Vacant Republican Not Voting
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Passed 14 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 4000
Republican 10000
Total 14000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (14)
Member Party Vote
Arrington, Kristen Aston Democrat Yea
Bernard, Mack Democrat Yea
Bracy Davis, LaVon Democrat Yea
Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Yea
McClain, Stan Republican Yea
Smith, David Republican Yea
Truenow, Keith L. Republican Yea
Vacant Republican Yea
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

housing veterans
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 1602 do?
Housing for Veterans; Creating the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act”; establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requiring a landlord to submit to the contracted program administrator required documentation within a specified time period to apply for funding; authorizing a landlord to apply for up to a specified dollar amount from the funds, etc.
Who sponsors SB 1602?
SB 1602 is sponsored by Wright, Tom A. (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 1602?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced January 09, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 1602?
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