Meet Jose
Jose Alvarez is the Democratic State Representative for Florida House District 46, elected in November 2024. He proudly represents the diverse and growing communities of Osceola and Orange counties. A Cuban American born in Havana, Jose immigrated to the United States in 1971 at the age of seven. He was raised in Miami, where he developed a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for public service. His professional journey began with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), where he served as a supervisor. In 1997, Jose moved to Osceola County with his beloved wife, Darlene, and their five children. Since then, he has been a devoted resident and community leader that is committed to improving the quality of life for all Floridians.
Jose brings over 25 years of experience as a dedicated Real Estate Broker and business owner. He has a longstanding commitment to public service and a proven track record of leadership and advocacy on behalf of his clients and the real estate profession. Jose has served on the Board of Directors for both the Florida Association of Realtors® and the Mid-Florida Regional MLS. In 2009, he was elected President of the Osceola County Association of Realtors, where he championed initiatives to support local real estate professionals and strengthen the communities they serve.
In 2012, Jose was elected and served as a city commissioner for Kissimmee. He played a vital role in guiding the city's growth and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. Jose provided key leadership in crafting multi-million-dollar annual budgets, securing revenue sources, and ensuring fiscal stability by maintaining a 20% reserve for unforeseen events. A strong advocate for diversified economic growth, affordable housing, and fair labor practices, Jose has supported initiatives addressing homelessness and environmental sustainability. His efforts led to the creation of a Medical District and major improvements in economic development at the Kissimmee Municipal Airport. Notably, Jose spearheaded the $38 million upgrade of Downtown Lakefront Park and improvements to roads, sidewalks, bridges, and bike trails citywide. By acquiring federal grants, he secured public safety upgrades and pay increases for city employees.
After serving as a city commissioner until 2016, Jose was elected Mayor of Kissimmee, proudly becoming the city’s first Hispanic mayor. He led with a strong commitment to equity, sustainability, and economic growth. As only the third mayor in Florida to become a “Climate Mayor,” Jose pledged to uphold the Paris Climate Accord and was the first in the state to transition 100% of municipal facilities to solar energy, completing this milestone in 2020. Throughout his tenure, Jose championed workers’ rights, helping Disney employees secure a $15/hour wage and supporting the passage of the County Wage Theft Ordinance. He advanced inclusive policies such as the Domestic Partner Registry and expanded down payment assistance for renters and first-time homebuyers. Under his leadership, millions were invested in parks, trails, youth programs, and transportation projects. Jose also proudly supported DACA and co-created the UCF/Puerto Rico Business Incubator. Notably, championed economic development programs that created hundreds of new high-wage jobs, grew Kissimmee’s Medical Arts District into the third largest in the state, and achieved the reclassification of Kissimmee’s Municipal Airport as a national airport.
In 2022, Jose expanded his public service beyond local government when he was appointed by the Biden administration as the Regional Administrator for Region IV of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In this role, he oversaw the largest HUD region in the country, which includes eight Southeastern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Jose led the implementation of federal housing policies and managed a workforce of over 1,100 direct and indirect reports. He collaborated with governors, mayors, housing authorities, and nonprofit organizations to drive affordable housing initiatives and ensure Fair Housing compliance. Under his leadership, billions of dollars were directed toward housing development, disaster recovery, and economic revitalization. Jose also played a key role in strengthening post-COVID partnerships and advancing Section 3 programs, which help transition individuals from government assistance to sustainable employment opportunities.
In November 2024, Jose’s commitment to public service in Kissimmee led him back to serve the State of Florida, where he was elected to represent District 46 in the Florida House of Representatives. As a State Representative, Jose serves on several key legislative committees, including the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight, Ways & Means, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee, the Education Administration Subcommittee, and the Human Services Subcommittee. Jose proudly represents District 46 and is a strong advocate for affordable housing, lowering the cost of homeowners insurance in Florida, championing business owners, expanding access to affordable healthcare, strengthening Florida’s education system, and supporting law enforcement officers and first responders.
Committed to District 46
Jose's Board Experience
Jose Alvarez has proudly served on a wide range of local boards that reflect his deep commitment to addressing the diverse needs of his community.
❖ Florida Association of Realtors® Board of Directors ❖ Mid-Florida Regional MLS Board of Directors ❖ Elected to serve as President of the Osceola County Association of Realtors® in 2009 ❖ KUA Board of Directors ❖ Osceola County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Board ❖ Chair Osceola County Charter review Board ❖ MADD (mothers against drunk drivers) Board ❖ Osceola County Historical Society Board ❖ National League of Cities Transportation & Intergovernmental Relations Board of Directors ❖ Florida League of Cities Chair of Transportation & Intergovernmental Relations Board ❖ Osceola Association of Realtors® Professional Standards Committee ❖ Chair Kissimmee/Osceola Commission on Homelessness ❖ Osceola Arts Board of Directors ❖ Metroplan Board of Directors ❖ National League of Cities Transportation & Intergovernmental Relations Committee Board of Directors ❖ Central Florida Commission on Homelessness Executive Committee ❖ Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Comers Board of Directors ❖ Transition House Board of Directors ❖ Osceola Association of Realtors® Policy & Bi-Laws Committee ❖ Osceola Association of Realtors® Past President Counsel ❖ Osceola Association of Realtors® Nominating Task Force ❖ Osceola Association of Realtors® Public Policy Committee ❖ Osceola County Affordable Housing Authority Board Commissioner ❖ Florida Realtors® Board of Directors ❖ Mid-Florida MLS Board of Directors ❖ Osceola Association of Realtors® Knowledge Service Committee ❖ Florida Realtors® Leadership Academy Graduate ❖ Osceola Realtors Association President ❖ National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Kissimmee Chapter Vice President ❖ Board of Directors for Osceola Association of Realtors® Board of Directors ❖ International Diversity Task Force ❖ National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Board of Directors ❖ League of United Latin American Citizens Board of Directors ❖ League of United Latin American Citizens Housing Commissioner ❖ League of United Latin American Citizens Community Development Committee ❖ League of United Latin American Citizens Fair Housing Committee ❖ RPAC Fundraising Committee ❖ Building Task Force ❖ Government Affairs Task Force