Want to register properties in your county?

Florida Housing Finance Corporation [Florida Housing] has procured the services of Socialserve.com  to provide the State of Florida with a web-based housing locator system called FloridaHousingSearch.org. Currently, only properties funded by Florida Housing or within those counties that have directly secured the services of Socialserve have access to property registration (see About Us page for a listing of local partners).
 
The goal is to provide a comprehensive list of government-subsidized and privately owned affordable rentals in Florida and reduce duplication by offering one database to list affordable rental housing. This can save local jurisdictions money and time through the use of an existing housing locator system versus developing a separate system for each community.
 

Cost

Florida Housing has agreed to pay $55,000 for three years for the continued development and maintenance of FloridaHousingSearch.org. However, this price only includes maintaining the listings of Florida Housing funded developments. In the proposal submitted by Socialserve.com, an estimation of $210,000 was provided to accept and maintain all types of listings in Florida.
 
For local counties and cities that decide that this locator provides an opportunity to provide additional rental resources for residents, there are two ways this can happen, summarized below.
 

Local Options for Involvement

1. A local jurisdiction would proceed with its normal procurement process to solicit services for a housing locator system. If Socialserve is selected, the local jurisdiction could do one of the following:
    
   • Provide registration access through FloridaHousingSearch.org website provided by Florida Housing. The database would still include everything listed for Florida, but the base of local rental units could be expanded beyond just properties financed by Florida Housing. If a local jurisdiction uses FloridaHousingSearch.org, the arrangement would require the local jurisdiction to agree to abide by terms specified by Florida Housing for the use of the website.
      
   • Develop a local website and use the Socialserve housing locator database. As above, the database would still include everything listed for Florida, but the base of local rental units could be expanded beyond just properties financed by Florida Housing. Note that website development would be an additional cost.
      
2. A local organization, such as a Homeless Coalition, or a group of organizations can pool resources together to fund a local expansion of services working with Socialserve and the existing locator.

 

What is currently provided on FloridaHousingSearch.org?

Socialserve.com provides the following services and features under the contract with Florida Housing:

• Develop, host, and maintain the website
   
• Provide users with access to one statewide database that includes all registered units regardless of the port of entry
   
• Provide method by which property owners can self-register
   
• Addition of locality specific information to the search screen
   
• Contact property owners to get properties registered and vacancy information updated
   
• Registration and search capability available online 24/7, by phone, fax, and mail
   
• Call center support for tenant and owners M-F from 9-6 EST
   
• Bi-lingual services online and through a toll-free call center
   
• Customer Service Representatives that contact property owners every 14 days for updates and respond to inquiries from tenants and owners
   
• Basic and advanced search in English and Spanish
   
• Detailed accessible housing search
   
• External map links
   
• Helpful tools provided such as basic budgeting "how-to" and rental checklist
   
• Interactive map search that allows direct location searches
   
• Direct links to tenant resources
   
• Continued support for site development, public launch, maintenance and state wide marketing
   
• Interactive tracking system for identifying supply and demand of housing and detailed search statistics
   
• Site made Section 508 and AAA compliant
   

Florida Housing

Florida Housing provides the following:

• Access to registration through FloridaHousingSearch.org
   
• Statewide marketing of the FloridaHousingSearch.org website
   
• Maintain the contract signed by Socialserve.com and Florida Housing
   
• Update the website to enhance features and information
   
• Provide link within the website for the public to make suggestions and offer comments
   
• Inform financial partners of any major changes to the website
   
• Offer participation on the housing locator advisory group
   
• Include link and logo of financial partner on housing locator homepage
   

Florida Housing: 1.850.488.4197
 
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Socialserve.com: 1.877.428.8844 toll free and ask for Van Gottel or Nina Fedele