Mission

About Us

Suncoast Housing NOW was created to address the problem of Sarasota-Manatee workforce housing today. This begins right here and now, where we provide key resources, hold policy makers and influencers accountable for their promises, and ensure that those whose work keeps our communities running can also call this area their home.

The History.

Corporate ownership of single-family homes took off after the last recession, as firms vacuumed up foreclosed homes. These trends have been devastating for working-class tenants.

The 3rd quarter of 2021 showed the biggest year-over-year increase in such corporate ownership in 16 years.
These property ownership firms hiked the fees they charged tenants significantly during the survey period.
Rents per lease per year went up approximately 40% between 2018 and 2021.
The number of renters who fell behind on rent and fees nearly doubled. Rent arrears went from 11.3% in 2018 to 19.1% in 2021. Fee arrears increased from 10% to 20.7%

This is an especially big problem in Florida, where corporate owners are scooping up residential real-estate and using them to generate vacation rental cash flow.

From 1985 to 2020, Florida rent prices increased 149%, while income grew just 35%.

For the first time ever, the median local asking rent exceeded $2,000 a month.

Source:
2022 United States House of Representatives Committee on Housing

Who Needs Housing

I wanted to stay in Sarasota. I want to raise my kids here. I just couldn't afford it.

I grew up here. As much as it hurts me to say it, I have to leave. I can't afford to buy a house or even rent a decent place here.

I had to move. There was no way I could afford to live here. Now I have a awesome house with a yard.

My landlord just doubled my rent. I can't afford to live here anymore. I have no idea what I'm going to do when my lease is up.

I love my job, but I can't afford to live here. Everything is either too far or overpriced.

I can't tell you how many people have turned down our job offers after they found out how much it will cost to relocate here.

I love my sister, but I can't live in her guest room forever. I gotta find a place I can afford, but it's impossible.

I figured if I was going to pay Tampa level rent, I might as well move to Tampa. Better pay, shorter commute, and I can afford a decent place to live.