DeSantis’ affordable housing director suspended pending investigation

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ affordable housing director suspended pending investigation

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ affordable housing director has been suspended pending the outcome of an inspector general investigation, leaving the Florida agency leaderless as it prepares to assign hundreds of millions of dollars.

Background

Mike DiNapoli, executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corp., was placed on administrative leave last month, according to interviews the Times/Herald had with current and former state employees. The move comes less than six months after DeSantis chose DiNapoli to lead the organization.

Suspension and Investigation

A spokesperson for the corporation has not responded to multiple requests for comment, including the reasons for the suspension. The Times/Herald requested DiNapoli’s suspension letter, but the corporation has not released it.

DiNapoli did not respond to text messages and calls seeking comment. The suspension was first reported by the USA Today Network.

Appointment and Affordable Housing Crisis

DeSantis chose DiNapoli, 54, in February, as state lawmakers were preparing to assign a record $711 million to the Florida Housing Finance Corp. to stem the state’s affordable housing crisis.

Role of Florida Housing Finance Corp.

The Florida Housing Finance Corp. was established by state lawmakers more than 40 years ago to manage hundreds of millions of state and federal housing dollars. The corporation provides low-interest loans to developers of affordable housing projects, issues bonds and helps new homebuyers through down payment assistance and low-interest home loans.

The corporation is overseen by a board of directors appointed by the governor. The governor’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on Monday.

Previous Experience and Departures

DiNapoli was previously at the Florida Department of Commerce, formerly known as the Department of Economic Opportunity, where he oversaw the state’s emergency bridge loan program. Prior to joining the state, DiNapoli was a vice president for Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and UBS Financial in New York, according to the corporation’s February announcement.

Since taking the job, the corporation has seen a wave of departures. DiNapoli fired two high-level officials at the corporation, including its longtime general counsel, Hugh Brown — who doubled as its chief ethics officer, according to his LinkedIn page — and the corporation’s liaison to the board, Sheila Freaney.

Allegations and Discrimination Charge

Tallahassee attorney Marie Mattox, who is representing Freaney, said she was fired after reporting “wrongdoing” by DiNapoli.

“She was fired after having blown the whistle on irregular spending practices and the use of the state credit card and/or her age,” Mattox said.

Freaney has filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations, Mattox said.

Conclusion

One of DiNapoli’s hires was Amanda Prater as the organization’s government relations director. Prater came from the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative think tank in Naples allied with DeSantis. Before that, Prater was chief of staff at the Department of Children and Families, where she resigned following the deaths of four small children whose safety had been on the agency’s radar screen.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
   • Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
   • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services

Analysis

The article discusses the suspension of Mike DiNapoli, the executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corp., which is responsible for managing affordable housing projects and funds in Florida. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The issues highlighted in the article are directly connected to SDG 11, which aims to ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all.

Targets:

• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

Indicators:

• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing.

The suspension of the executive director and the issues surrounding the management of affordable housing funds indicate challenges in achieving the target of providing adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all. The indicator 11.1.1 can be used to measure the proportion of the population living in inadequate housing or slums.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The article also raises concerns about the effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of institutions responsible for managing affordable housing funds.

Targets:

• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

Indicators:

• Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.

The issues discussed in the article highlight the need for effective and transparent institutions in managing affordable housing funds. The indicator 16.6.2 can be used to measure the satisfaction of the population with their experience of public services related to housing.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: tampabay.com

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