Miami-Dade Housing Committee Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Miami-Dade Housing Committee met on September 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The committee considered several resolutions related to affordable housing, public housing redevelopment, and attainable housing. After a brief invocation and pledge, the agenda was set, and most items were passed on the consent calendar, except for Resolution 2A, which was discussed in detail and approved as amended. The committee forwarded all items to the full Board of County Commissioners for final action.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2B (Resolution 251130): Authorizing a two-year extension for GPI MGMT, LLC to obtain final certificates of occupancy for homes on certain properties. Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation (4-0).
• Item 2C (Resolution 251690): Authorizing an amended and restated county deed for JL Brown Development Corporation and an extension to build and sell single-family homes through the Infill Housing Program. Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation (4-0).
• Item 2D (Resolution 251736): Authorizing a Request for Proposals for the design, build, finance, operation, and maintenance of an affordable and workforce housing development at Stirrup Plaza Family (3707 Percival Avenue) via a 99-year lease and development agreement. Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation (4-0).
• Item 2E (Resolution 251777): Authorizing a disposition application to HUD for the Scott Homes II site to convey the property to SG Poinciana Ventures, LLC for a MedLog logistics center for Mediterranean Shipping Company. Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation (4-0).
• Item 3A (Resolution 251708): Authorizing acceptance of a quit claim deed from the City of Miami for property at 1371 NW 61 Street, to be used for housing for persons experiencing homelessness, along with up to $600,000 in CDBG funding for rehabilitation. Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation (4-0).
• Item 6A (Report 251692): Approval of Clerk's summary of minutes for meetings on July 8, 2024, September 9, 2024, March 11, 2025, and May 13, 2025. Approved (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public approached the podium or submitted speaker cards. The chair closed the reasonable opportunity for public to be heard without any testimony.

Discussion Items

• Item 2A (Resolution 251729) - Miami-Dade Attainable Housing Corporation: Commissioner Eileen Higgins, prime sponsor, presented a resolution to create a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity called the Miami-Dade Attainable Housing Corporation, Inc., along with affiliated subsidiaries, to manage and redevelop certain county-owned housing properties. The item arose from the imminent bankruptcy of the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation, which owned 16 buildings (dozens of units) that would have become luxury housing. The county had contributed financing but was in second position. By creating this entity, the Board of County Commissioners would serve as its board, avoiding the need to create multiple independent boards for each building. Commissioner Higgins noted that this approach complies with state and local ethics, and received ethical clearance from the state ethics commission and county ethics board. The entity would allow the county to apply for tax credits and other HUD programs, such as RAD, for smaller, hard-to-develop properties.

• Discussion on Scope and Safeguards: Commissioner McGhee questioned whether the item should be limited to the Miami Beach properties to which it was initially tied. Commissioner Higgins argued for a broader scope, noting that many districts have “ugly babies” (small or challenging sites) that private developers ignore, and the entity would allow the county to develop them. A friendly amendment was proposed by Commissioner Regalado, requiring that any addition of properties to the entity must be sponsored by the district commissioner. Commissioner Higgins accepted the amendment. Commissioner Gonzalez expressed hesitancy and requested a meeting with Director Terrence before voting, but ultimately did not object further.

• FRS (Florida Retirement System) Concerns: Commissioner McGhee raised concerns about county employees serving on the entity’s board potentially affecting their retirement benefits under FRS. The county attorney acknowledged the issue and stated that the shared services agreement (not yet before the board) would address FRS implications, and that necessary amendments would be discussed before the item reaches the full board.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2A was approved by the committee as amended (3-0, with Commissioner Gonzalez not voting but not opposing; no nays recorded) and forwarded to the full Board of County Commissioners for the October 9, 2025 meeting. The amendment requires any addition of properties to the entity to be sponsored by the district commissioner.
• All other items were forwarded to the BCC with favorable recommendations.
• The next Housing Committee meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2025.