FLORIDA — The executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the agency responsible for administering Sadowski funds and other forms of state and federal housing assistance, is resigning from his position, according to a press release from the organization.

“It is with both sadness and gratitude that we must announce Harold L. ‘Trey’ Price will resign as Executive Director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, effective February 1, 2023,” the press release read. 

Trey Price, who took on the role in March 2017, stepped down from the position to pursue other career opportunities, a FHFC spokesperson told Spectrum News. Discussions about who will replace him will take place over the next few weeks, leading up to FHFC’s board meeting on Jan. 27, the spokesperson said.

FHFC is currently a public-private entity, designated by the Florida Legislature to increase housing affordability for residents across the state via a wide range of different assistance programs and funding sources. Originally part of the state’s Department of Community Affairs, the agency became a public-private entity in 1998, in order “to reduce bureaucracy, streamline many administrative processes and operate more effectively within the real estate and financial markets,” according to a 2008 agency publication. 

The agency touted Price’s achievements at FHFC during the past six years, including last year’s launch of a new $100 million “Hometown Heroes” program, created to boost homeownership opportunities for frontline workers, including law enforcement officers and educators.

In Thursday’s press release, FHFC also cited last year’s $512 million budget amount approved by the legislature for housing initiatives — the largest ever state allocation of such funds. 

But prior to that historic allocation, during the state’s 2021 legislative session, lawmakers approved a bill permanently redirecting part of the Sadowski trust funds away from their original purpose — funding affordable housing programs.

Before joining the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Price ran his own firm and spent 12 years working for the Florida Realtors, according to the press release. 

“All of us on the Board, as well as Florida Housing staff, are extremely grateful for Trey’s leadership and service to the people of Florida and wish him the best of luck in future endeavors,” the press release read.