Miami-Dade Housing Committee Meeting - October 15, 2025

The Miami-Dade Housing Committee met on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Commission Chambers. The meeting included a special presentation, a public hearing on a HOME ARP grant, discussion on surtax funding and infill housing, and significant public testimony from residents of public housing communities. All agenda items were forwarded to the full Board of County Commissioners with favorable recommendations, mostly by 5-0 votes.

Special Presentation

• Commissioner Eileen Higgins presented a token of appreciation to Alex Bolaños of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for his work transforming 16 troubled buildings that housed over 350 families, some of which were historic properties that the county acquired after a nonprofit faced bankruptcy.

Public Comments & Testimony (Reasonable Opportunity for the Public to Be Heard)

• Carolyn Yumobit (Liberty Square resident): Expressed frustration with lack of resident council communication, requested relocation due to unsuitable unit, and sought help to improve the neighborhood.
• Sharon Fraser Stevens (Liberty Square resident): Alleged harassment by leasing office, stated that the tenant council was not operational despite being voted in, and called for a community meeting with PHCD and Chief Morales.
• Paulette Darrow (Gwen Cherry resident, 15 years in public housing): Described unsafe conditions including dog attacks, trash, water leaks, and retaliation from site management; asked for commissioner assistance.
• Roy Hardeman (Chair, Model City Advisory Board): Stated the Model City area (7.3 square miles) is “the worst of the worst” with lack of parks, recreation, and housing; demanded roundtable with Chief Morales, warning that “the pot is already boiled over.”
• Renita Holmes (Executive Director, Wave of Women): Raised systemic issues including mold, lack of safety, retaliation against residents, and failure to uphold Section 3 and 24 CFR 924; requested an audit of HUD funds and a status check on protections for women, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
• Theophilus Williams (former public housing resident): Criticized lack of resident involvement in development decisions, demanded district-specific Community Action Agencies (CARs), and highlighted safety and infrastructure issues.

Public Hearing (Item 1G1 – HOME ARP Funds)

• Renita Holmes: Requested an audit of the $26,578 HOME ARP grant, citing concerns about administrative spending, recaptured funds, and failure to benefit women, seniors, and disabled persons.
• Sharon Frazier (Liberty Square): Supported the resolution but called for HUD and state oversight, alleging that millions in federal funds are misallocated while new developments have leaking roofs.
• Carolyn Yumobit: Repeated concerns about lack of a functional resident council and poor communication from the leasing office.
• Theophilus Williams: Alleged misuse of $40 million from Congress, called for investigation, and warned of retaliation against residents who speak out.
• Paulette Darrow: Questioned where funding goes and claimed retaliation against community leaders.

Discussion Items

• Item 2A – Report on FY 2023 Surtax/SHIP/HOME Applications: Commissioner Raquel Regalado questioned the status of surtax funding and raised concerns about cost per unit disparity (e.g., $5 million for 39 units vs. $5 million for 270 units). She proposed a friendly amendment to also report on current-year applications and provide a breakdown by commission district. Commissioner Eileen Higgins supported adding cost-per-unit analysis. The amendment was accepted; the amended resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
• Item 2C – Amended Deed for Elite Equity Development (Infill Housing): Commissioner Regalado suggested prioritizing county-owned infill properties for homeownership funding rather than letting funds go to other developers. Prime sponsor Commissioner Kionne McGhee declined to amend the current item but agreed to bring a future proposal to address the issue. The resolution passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1G1 (HOME ARP Funds): Approved 5-0 after public hearing. The resolution retroactively approves actions to apply for and expend $26,578 in additional FY2021 HOME ARP funds from HUD.
• Item 2A (Report on 2023 Surtax Applications): Amended to require an update on current-year applications and breakdown by commission district; then passed 5-0.
• Item 2B (Mapton Holdings/Mapleton Realty Exchange Agreement Third Amendment): Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0. Authorizes acceptance of $6,546,424 in lieu of construction of county facilities to be used for affordable housing.
• Item 2C (Elite Equity Development Infill Housing): Forwarded to BCC with favorable recommendation 5-0.
• Item 3A (Metro Grande II Loan): Forwarded to BCC 5-0 for a $300,000 surtax loan.
• Item 3B (Rescind Cordova Estates loan, new Princeton Manor loan): Forwarded to BCC 5-0, reallocating $1,110,789 from Centennial Management to Princeton Manor.
• Item 6A (Approval of Minutes): Approved 5-0 for meetings on June 10, July 8, and September 9, 2025.
• Future Meeting Time: Chairwoman Bastien proposed moving the Housing Committee meeting start time from 2:00 PM to 1:00 PM; colleagues expressed support, and the change will be brought to the full Board Chair.
• Community Meeting Commitment: Chairwoman Bastien and Chief Morales agreed to schedule a community meeting at Liberty Square following public testimony regarding retaliation and unsafe conditions.