Frank Russo Asks Trump to Lead Private Housing Push in Florida

Russo, a non-party affiliated candidate, pitched the plan as an appeal to Trump’s history of high-profile construction projects, citing the successful renovation of New York’s Wollman Rink as the model for his own aspirations. He argues that the current housing shortage requires the same hands-on, deal-making approach that defined Trump’s career, rather than bureaucratic intervention. The goal is to build 300 to 500-unit complexes across the state, with 60% of units reserved for families earning at or below 80% of the area median income, and the remainder designated for workforce housing.

Central to the proposal is a financing structure that avoids new government spending while protecting local tax bases. Because affordable housing projects often qualify for significant property-tax exemptions under the Florida Live Local Act, Russo insists that counties, investors, and builders must collaborate to ensure that essential services—such as schools, emergency responders, and infrastructure—remain fully funded. He emphasizes that the initiative must prioritize fiscal stability for both the taxpayer and the working families it aims to support. Russo has stated that he has also reached out to tech executives Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg to join the effort, viewing private sector engagement as the only viable path to meaningful change.