People in Florida struggle to afford rent, as the cost of living increases. Floridians look to government officials for answers.

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By: Amea Smith 

FAMU Broadcast Student 


From Tallahassee to Miami, the price has gone up. Since the pandemic, the cost of living has increased. According to Rent Cafe, as of January, the average rent in Tallahassee is $1,500. Researchers state Miami’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment has increased by 21% since last year. Predominantly a college town, Tallahassee students talk about what this means for them. Denise Cooper and Jacobi Nelson, both students of TCC, share their experiences in their apartments. 



Denise Cooper - West 10 Apartments 


“  I feel like rent is way too high, I could be paying less somewhere. I just moved here from Broward County. It’s way cheaper to live here but I just feel like I could be paying less, probably in the seven hundreds.”


Jacobi Nelson - The Social 2700 Apartments 


“ City officials should work with students and find more ways to try and help us out… because  they know we don't have any money. There should be way more low income apartments because everyone doesn't have enough money and we are college students.” 


According to Blue Ridge legal services, evictions have not decreased since the pandemic. Due to the housing increase a lot of people are staying put. Angela Lewis, a single mother of three, says her rent increased a lot within the last year and they didn’t make a single renovation. Lewis lives in an income-based apartment home. Income-based apartments are known for their reasonable rent rates for families. Lewis shares her experience. 



Angela Lewis - Siena Square Apartments 


“I feel like it's dumb to pay $978 a month when I could own a house for less than that but my credit isn't good and I don't have enough money for a down payment…nothing has been renovated since I've been here. I feel like they are just leasing to people. Is there a way it can be regulated? Salaries aren't being increased but everything is up..” 


Democrat  Florida Representative Anna V. Eskamani, from Orlando, has proposed a bill that she says would strengthen tenants' rights across the state with changes that include creating a statewide agency to focus on tenant advocacy and homeless services.


Leon County Commisioners are also wanting to do something about the surge. Passing a law that will make it mandatory for landlords to notify tenants if the rent will increase by five percent or more, says Kandace Blake of WTXL Tallahassee.


According to Commisioners, they will be able to see who directly is impacted by the rent surge but it will not guarantee affordable housing elsewhere . “As of now we are doing what we can to make it work,” says Cooper. 

 
















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