HOPE

At a public hearing before the vote, around 30 residents urged commissioners to vote against an ordinance repealing the local affordable housing act.

In a 5-2 vote on Wednesday, county commissioners decided to repeal an ordinance that created the local affordable housing fund, also known as HOPE funds.

Commissioners approved putting $5.6 million in uncommitted HOPE dollars toward one-time hurricane relief for mobile home residents.

This year, affordable housing efforts will get only $2 million, with the remainder being reallocated towards reduced property taxes, sidewalk repairs, and other investments.

In a last minute budget change, Hillsborough County commissioners could vote to siphon affordable housing dollars toward nonhousing related projects. The final budget hearing is on Sept. 19.

Back in October, hundreds of Hillsborough County residents packed the pews of Tampa's First Seventh Day Adventist Church.It was an interfaith gathering of…