Miami-Dade Housing Committee Meeting - November 12, 2025
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Miami-Dade Housing Committee Meeting - November 12, 2025
The Miami-Dade Housing Committee convened on November 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM local time (18:45 UTC) to consider four resolutions concerning public housing redevelopment, compliance with federal housing directives, and rental assistance administration. All items were approved unanimously (3-0) and waived to the full Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting scheduled for November 18, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Yolanda Davis (address: 6336 NW 24th Place, not the address on file) described homelessness in her area, citing sleep disruption from late-night conversations near her bedroom window and drug addicts entering a nearby property. She expressed frustration with lack of police response. Chair Bastien arranged for staff to assist her.
- Sharon Fraser (address: 6516 NW 12th Avenue) expressed support for Item 2B, noting that the U.S. Housing Act protections are important. She thanked Commissioners McGhee and Bastien for visiting her senior center and mentioned a job fair at the Joseph Caleb building. She also requested orientation for residents on new appliances and amenities.
- Roy Hardman (self-identified as a resident advocate) reminded the committee that the Model City CHC neighborhood revitalization strategy area meets on the third Wednesday at 6 PM. He expressed support for Item 2B.
- Rainita Holmes (District 5) expressed support for Items 2A and 2B, but noted that federal regulations regarding persons with disabilities and HQS inspection standards are not always applied. She urged the committee to ensure that public housing moving toward Section 8 includes proper accommodations for people with disabilities.
- A resident (name not fully captured) reported being verbally abused by staff at a rental office and cited high rent quotes ($15,000-$16,000 for a one-bedroom) that she could not afford on Social Security. Chair Bastien directed staff to assist.
Discussion Items
- Commissioner Regalado raised a question about using a standard lease and development agreement that her office had previously developed for competitive bidding. She noted that although the current items are not competitively bid, using the same standardized agreement could expedite financing and approval. Nathan Cogan (Housing and Community Development) responded that for Chair Bastien's item (2C) the standardized agreement would be appropriate, but for Commissioner McGhee's item (2A) which involves a for-sale product, a different form would be needed.
- Item 2A (Prime Sponsor: Kionne L. McGhee) – Resolution declaring four county-owned public housing developments (Arthur Mays Villas, Naranja, Modello II, Pine Island) as surplus for affordable homeownership redevelopment by SG South Miami-Dade Ventures, LLC. The resolution directs due diligence, negotiation of a lease/development agreement, and HUD consent for non-competitive disposition.
- Item 2B (Prime Sponsor: Raquel A. Regalado; Co-Sponsors: Juan Carlos Bermudez, Sen. Rene Garcia) – Resolution reaffirming directives from Resolution R-753-13 (adopted under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937) regarding public housing redevelopment. It directs the County Mayor to provide copies to all developers, submit monthly reports, and ensure compliance.
- Item 2C (Prime Sponsor: Marleine Bastien) – Resolution declaring surplus properties (Kline Nunn, Little River Plaza, Little River Terrace, and a vacant lot) in District 2 for affordable rental and homeownership redevelopment by PCSH Little River Redevelopment, LLC (an affiliate of Pinnacle Communities II and Smith & Henzy Affordable Group). The resolution seeks HUD consent for non-competitive disposition and a $15 million allocation from the Resilient Florida Grant Program for improvements in the Little River Adaptation Action Area.
- Item 3A (Prime Sponsor: Marleine Bastien) – Resolution ratifying the County Mayor's action in issuing a Request for Applications for a fiscal agent to administer rental assistance funding under HUD's Continuum of Care program, and authorizing a contract with MDG Associates, LLC.
- Waiver Request: The committee voted to waive all items (2A, 2B, 2C, 3A) to the November 18, 2025, BCC meeting, subject to the chair's approval and ensuring adequate public hearing advertisement for the public hearing items (2A and 2C).
Key Outcomes
- All four resolutions were forwarded to the BCC with a favorable recommendation by a vote of 3-0 (Commissioners Bastien, McGhee, and Regalado; Vice Chairman Gonzalez was absent).
- Items 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3A were waived to the November 18, 2025, BCC meeting for final consideration.
- Commissioner McGhee delivered a closing statement emphasizing the trauma experienced by residents in marginalized communities and the importance of recognizing their voices as expressions of real hardship. He urged the committee to address trauma as a prerequisite to fighting poverty.
- Chair Bastien concurred and noted that she had personally visited the housing sites referenced by public speakers, accompanied by staff and developers, to observe conditions directly. She also paid tribute to former state representative Roy Hardeman (who recently passed away), praising his advocacy for the Ponciana development and his tireless community service.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, everything's okay. All right. Good afternoon, everyone. I'd like to welcome you to our housing committee meeting. Madam Clerk, please call the role. Good afternoon. The clerk's office received a notice that Vice Chairman Gonzalez will be absent from today's meeting. Commissioner McGee. Commissioner Ragalado. Chairwoman Bastian. Yes. Three members present. We have a quorum. Thank you so much. I'm gonna ask everyone to stand up to observe a moment of silence and prayer for two people. As you know, uh our hearts have been very heavy with the killing of uh Deputy Devin Harmil, who was fatally shot on November seventh while responding to a traffic crash. Gonna pray for him for his soul, for his family, especially his wife and children. Our hearts are also heavy because we learned with great sadness of the death of former state representative Royal Ottoman, the district two resident, and I must say our most active resident. Hardly a week passed that he wasn't there in our office offering his services. Let's keep them in our hearts and mind and then think about them while we stay for a few minutes in silent prayers, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And then be sure to stay and speak on the item that you sign up for. We could also bring the mic to her. That's my speech is not too good. So I wish I could get help because I signed up by running this center, the integer to get an apartment. But when I went there to give was very abusive to me. So I said I'm not going to go back there because she was very special to me. And she started telling me if she do give me a home, I will have to pay. Yeah, I'm a vote of buddy. My place is ranking for 15 and 16,000 for one bedroom. And I am not getting that um social security. So I the best is really a senior place is why I am in there. So I am thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Um is Vicky in the room. Um can you please um assist um Andrews? Miss Andrews. I have someone who's gonna be talking to you now. Thank you so much. Do you want her? Are you do you want her to stay where she is or Vicky? Um director is going to assist her. He just asked her to step back here so they can have a private conference. Thank you so much. Miss Uralda Davis. Miss Davis. I hope I pronounced your name. Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. Please come to the mic. State your name and address for the records.
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