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.