Memorandum
DATE: November 10, 2004
TO: Interested Media
FROM: Jill Bratina, Governor's Communications Director
RE: Governor's Executive Order 04-240

Please see the attached Executive Order Number 04-240, creating the Hurricane Housing Work Group. The Work Group will assess and make recommendations on the best use of one-time state and federal dollars to address housing and community needs.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the Governor's press office at (850) 488-5394.

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STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Executive Order No. 04-240

WHEREAS, Florida experienced the destructive impact of four hurricanes between August 13, 2004 and September 25, 2004, impacting all 67 counties; and

WHEREAS, the hurricanes created both short-term and long-term housing needs for Floridians; and

WHEREAS, the American Red Cross preliminary damage assessments identified nearly 300,000 homes affected by the disasters with over 25,000 homes completely destroyed and almost 46,000 with major damage; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Insurance Council estimates that more than 1.3 million personal homeowners insurance claims, with an estimated $11 billion in losses, have been filed; and

WHEREAS, more than one million Floridians have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency seeking assistance, including housing assistance; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided more than $400 million in housing assistance to more than 240,000 hurricane victims, including rental assistance to more than 115,000 Floridians; and

WHEREAS, nearly 7,000 Floridians requested travel trailers or mobile homes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

WHEREAS, efforts during the past 90 days primarily focused on meeting the most immediate, life-threatening needs in the wake of the storms as well as
the short-term needs of our citizens and communities; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has assisted with immediate, short term housing needs and will continue to do so for up to 18 months from the federal disaster declarations for eligible applicants; and

WHEREAS, research shows that stable and quality housing with high rates of home ownership improves children's success in schools, reduces dropout rates, and helps families find and hold jobs; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that we now turn our attention to the long-term housing needs facing our hardest hit communities and most vulnerable citizens, recognizing that a safe and suitable home is a key component of a family's well-being.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, Governor of the State of Florida, by the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, effective immediately:
Section 1.
The Hurricane Housing Work Group ("Work Group") is hereby created to assess and make recommendations on the best use of one-time state and federal dollars to address housing and community needs. The Work Group will assess housing needs and develop interim and long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of the hurricanes on the people and communities of this state. The Work Group shall identify any regulatory barriers that are hindering the rebuilding of suitable housing; ensure state and federal resources for hurricane recovery are targeted as effectively as possible; and recommend any appropriate market-based strategies that would help communities better meet the housing needs of their residents. Specifically, the Work Group shall make recommendations regarding the use of supplemental Federal funds available for recovery as well as non-recurring State funds that may be
available in response to these disasters.

Section 2.

A. I hereby appoint Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings as the chair of the Work Group.

B. The Work Group shall be composed of:

1. Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings
2. Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson
3. Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs
Thaddeus Cohen
4. Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs Terry White
5. Executive Director of the Florida
Housing Finance Corporation Orlando Cabrera
6. Dan Gilmore, President of the Florida Home Builders Association
7. Tom D'Aprile, Charlotte County Commissioner
8. Clay Ford, Mayor Pro Tem of Gulf Breeze
and President of the Florida League of Cities
9. Richard Weber, Regional Director for
Florida for Habitat for Humanity International
10. Mike Fields, Bank of America and
immediate past President of the Florida Bankers Association
11. Pam Duncan, Fannie Mae
12. Gus Dominguez, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Florida Housing Coalition and of the Affordable Housing Study Commission
13. Scott Culp, a member of the Board of
Directors of the Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers and of the Affordable Housing Study Commission
14. Kent Spuhler, Executive Director of Florida Legal Services, Inc.
15. Steven Kirk, Florida Farmworker Coalition
16. Frank Williams, Executive Director of
the Florida Manufactured Housing Association
17. A member of the Florida Senate,
appointed by the President designate of the Senate
18. A member of the Florida House of
Representatives, appointed by the Speaker designate of the House of Representatives

C. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Governor shall fill any vacancy that occurs in the Work Group. Section 3. The Work Group shall meet initially on November 22, 2004, in an organizational session, and then as needed upon the call of the Chair. The Work Group shall act by a vote of the majority of its members present, either in person or via communication technology.
Section 4.
The Work Group shall submit a report setting forth its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for legislative action, to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate on or before February 18, 2005. Section 5.
Work Group members shall receive no compensation, but shall be entitled to per diem and travel expenses while attending meetings of the Work Group to the extent allowed by Section 112.061, Florida Statutes. Per diem and travel expenses shall be paid in accordance with Chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
Section 6.
All agencies within the authority of the Executive Office of the Governor are directed, and all other agencies are requested, to render full
assistance and cooperation to the Work Group.

Section 7.

The Work Group shall continue in existence only until its objectives are achieved, but not later than March 1, 2005, unless extended by further Executive Order.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, The Capitol, this 10th day of November, 2004.

ATTEST:

____________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE
 

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