Governor Signs 'Support Homeownership for All' License Plate Bill

Florida Realtors®  and the Florida Association of Realtors'® (FAR) applaud the recent signing of HB 1589 by Gov. Jeb Bush. Sponsored by state Rep. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, and Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, the legislation establishes the "Support Homeownership for All" specialty license plate with proceeds targeted to help workforce housing programs.

"The 'Support Homeownership for All' license plate offers a wonderful opportunity for each of us who live and work in Florida to be part of the solution concerning the critical housing needs of so many residents," says 2006 FAR President Mike Dooley. "'Many hands make light work' is a well-known saying and, in this case, many sold license plates will allow families to achieve their dream of owning a home in the communities where they live and work."

He adds, "Florida Realtors and FAR hope that proceeds from license plate sales will provide money for affordable, attainable housing programs. Homeownership for All Inc., made up of Realtors and other statewide housing advocates, looks forward to providing real solutions to help meet the ever-pressing needs of so many families who are without housing."

FAR sponsored a contest to come up with the design for the "Support Homeownership for All" license plate. The winner was Melissa Bourke, 27, of Naples, a graphic artist for the Naples-based John R. Wood Realtors. Of more than 275 entries sent in by Realtors and non-Realtors from all over Florida, Bourke's entry was chosen as the $1,000 contest winner. Her color scheme and graphic images inspired FAR's art department to put the finishing touches on the license plate design recently submitted to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

"I am so proud that Florida Realtors have taken the lead in providing a creative solution to the attainable workforce housing crisis," says John Sebree, FAR's vice president of public policy. "We hope the 'Support Homeownership For All' license plate will break all previous specialty license plate sales in our state."

The legislation became effective July 1, 2006. According to DMV officials, the "Support Homeownership for All" license plates should be available for purchase sometime within a year.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Florida residents should soon have a new specialty license plate to pick from. This one is titled "Homeownership for All" and is sponsored by the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR).

FAR hopes that proceeds from sales of the license plate will provide much needed money for Florida affordable housing programs. Homeownership for All, Inc. is made up of Realtors and other housing advocates to assist in choosing the projects and beneficiaries of the license plate proceeds. Advertising and marketing of the specialty plate will be aimed at Florida Realtors as well as the general public.