WHY DOES HOME MATTER?

The health, safety, and welfare of Ocala and Marion County and the strength of the local economy hinges on an adequate supply of affordable housing for working families, elders, and people with disabilities living on fixed incomes.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING REDUCES TAXPAYER EXPENSES

• Affordable, community-based housing for seniors and people with disabilities is about one-third of the cost of institutional care.
• Chronically homeless persons often cycle through jails, hospitals, and other crisis services. Permanent supportive housing for this high-need population can reduce taxpayer costs by about $20,000 per person per year.
• Affordable housing can improve the health and educational outcomes of low-income families and children, reducing the public costs associated with illness and poor school performance.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOOSTS THE ECONOMY

• Money spent on affordable housing construction and rehabilitation has a ripple effect on local economies. Contractors and suppliers spend money on materials and labor, and workers spend their earnings locally.
• If the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund money is fully appropriated for housing, Marion County and the City of Ocala will receive nearly $3.4 million in total SHIP funds. This allocation will leverage a further $15 million from public-private partnerships, creating nearly 340 jobs and generating nearly $47 million in positive economic impact.