TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new legislative measure was filed Wednesday aimed at protecting Florida families from the growing influence of multinational corporations in the housing market.
Sponsor: HB 401 was introduced by Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Fla. The legislation is titled “Strengthening Homeownership in Florida Act.”
What it does: HB 401 seeks to preserve the “American Dream” of homeownership, which Jacques’ office said “rootless multinational corporations” have turned into a “Wall Street commodity.”
- The bill establishes a clear distinction between traditional single-family homeownership and corporate-backed “hybrid housing” models, which critics argue are replacing communities with investment portfolios.
- The legislation grants counties and municipalities the authority to designate land exclusively for single-family residential use, preventing large corporations from purchasing entire neighborhoods and converting them into permanent rental properties.
- It ensures that neighborhoods remain home to families, not speculative markets for global investors detached from the community. By empowering local governments to block the rise of hybrid housing models, the bill directly challenges efforts to undermine Floridians’ property rights and economic freedom.
What they’re saying: Jacques said “Florida is for families-not Wall Street landlords or global elites.”
- “This bill puts an end to corporate overlords turning our neighborhoods into rental farms and restores homeownership to hardworking Floridians,” Jacques said.
“Owning a home isn’t just about real estate; it’s about freedom, stability, and the right to build a future in your own community. With this bill, we’re making it clear: Florida belongs to Floridians,” he said.
Next steps: A companion bill has not yet been filed in the Senate, and HB 401 has not yet been assigned to a committee.