Local Information for Florida

Florida, known as the Sunshine State, got its name from Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer back in the early 1500s. Ponce de Leon chose the name La Florida, which means “flowery land”. The state is a colourful and interesting mix of different cultures and influences. Its cuisine and architecture is a combination of Native American, African American, Hispanic, and European American heritages.

The state got its nickname because of the fact that its climate is a combination of humid subtropical and tropical, depending on the area. The Florida Keys and other coastal areas located south of Lake Okeechobee enjoy the tropical climate. Thousands of people flock to Florida during the winter season because it rarely snows in the state.

Three of Florida’s most popular and well-visited cities are Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. Miami is a popular vacation destination and enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. Tampa is known in the metropolitan area of Tampa Bay, while the city of Orlando is where you’ll find some of the world’s best and most popular theme parks.

Florida Housing Authority

Florida has a number of programs that help homeowners find a decent and affordable home. If you are thinking of moving to the Sunshine State, you’ll be happy to know that the state works with and administers the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) programs. Their objective is to make home buying a pleasant experience by giving you affordable options.

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA), along with the Florida Housing Coalition, Inc (FHC), is a Florida housing authority that extends help to homeowners and individuals with limited incomes. The FHC is an organization that promotes affordable housing. Its membership is statewide.

In Miami, affordable housing is possible with the help of the Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development or PHCD. If you prefer a residence in Tampa, the state’s Department of Public Housing has several public housing developments in the city – all for your convenience. The city of Orlando, on the other hand, has a number of housing programs for families, disabled individuals, and the elderly. These programs are administered courtesy of the OHA, or the Orlando Housing Authority.

Rental Assistance in Florida

Florida is one of the states that offer Section 8 vouchers. The Section 8 program is administered by the U.S. HUD. It provides subsidies to individuals with low incomes so that they can rent a privately owned property of their choice.

There are several guidelines to be followed for the Section 8 program. The landlord should be willing to participate, the individual must get approval first (according to an eligibility criteria that includes income and family details), and a rental subsidy should be agreed upon. The individual/renter pays only a portion of the rent according to a particular percentage of his income and the remaining balance is paid by the housing authority.

So, if you’re thinking of moving to the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida, there’s not need to worry. Finding a home or rental assistance is easy. You can even find rental assistance online, where you’ll get the chance to not only choose the home of your dreams, but also view floor plans, among other things.