Miami-Dade Housing Committee Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Miami-Dade Housing Committee met on April 14, 2026, at 5:45 PM, chaired by Commissioner Marleine Bastien, with four members present (Commissioners Bermudez, McGhee, Regalado, and Vice Chair Lopez). The committee considered several items related to affordable housing development, including surplus property conveyances, public hearing requirements for housing projects, amendments to infill housing deeds, and grant funding for farmworker career development. Discussions centered on accountability, timeliness, infrastructure, and the challenges faced by seniors on fixed incomes.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3A and 3B were approved as part of the consent agenda without separate discussion.
  • 3A (Resolution R-250324): Retroactively authorized acceptance and expenditure of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant funds ($350,059 for FY2023–24, $415,656 for FY2024–25, $415,656 for FY2025–26) for the Farmworker Career Development Program, plus additional amendments. Approved 5-0.
  • 3B (Resolution R-260311): Approved loans of Documentary Stamp Surtax Program funds: up to $1,200,000 for Brownsville Village V, up to $1,000,000 for Northside Transit Village III, and up to $1,625,000 for Perrine Village II. Approved 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the designated comment period. However, several individuals waved in support of Item 2A (the public hearing ordinance) when their names were called: Geneva Claus, Theolinda Christian, Adam Sipper, and Milky Bloom. No opposition was expressed.

Discussion Items

Item 1G1 – Surplus Property Conveyance for Affordable Housing

• Proposal: Resolution declaring certain county-owned properties surplus and authorizing their conveyance to Voices on the Ground, LLC and Forge Capital Group, LLC for $10.00 each, to develop affordable housing for very low-, low-, or moderate-income households. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers.
• Commissioner Bermudez expressed support but raised concerns about timeliness, noting that some properties have been pending for years. He requested the administration (Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales) provide better tracking and reporting. Chief Morales confirmed that a regular PCAD report now monitors awarded properties.
• Commissioner Regalado praised the inclusion of duplexes in one rendering, urging that infill properties should maximize density (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, ADUs) rather than single-family homes. She also raised concerns about the lack of sewer connectivity, requiring expensive septic tanks, and suggested that the county should consider changing zoning to allow more units on small lots. She noted that the property in question is a remnant lot of 2,200 sq. ft., limiting options.
• Outcome: Item was moved and seconded, approved unanimously (voice vote).

Item 2A – Ordinance Requiring Public Meetings for Housing Projects (Amended)

• Proposal: Ordinance amending Section 2-1 of the County Code to require public meetings for housing projects, including development or redevelopment of public housing and affordable housing. Prime sponsor Senator Rene Garcia proposed amendments based on feedback from advocates.
• Amendments (adopted): (1) Minimum of two meetings with residents and community stakeholders, or as required by federal law/HUD; (2) meetings must be available via Zoom; (3) developer pays for meetings; (4) applies only prospectively, not to projects already in the pipeline.
• Commissioner Regalado questioned whether the requirement would inadvertently push developers toward the unsolicited proposal process (which has a shorter RFP window) to avoid the two-meeting requirement. County Attorney Terrence and Director Alejandro Martinez Esteve clarified that the county’s IO8-4 process does not use an RFP window, but the state statute 125.379 does. Senator Garcia agreed to review potential unintended consequences before the full board vote.
• Outcome: Motion to amend and approve passed (voice vote, all in favor).

Items 2B and 2C – Infill Housing Deed Amendments and Extensions

• 2B (Prime Sponsor: Marleine Bastien): Amended and restated deeds for Little Haiti Housing Association (HACDC), Collective Developers, and Integral Florida, with extensions to construct and sell single-family homes. Conveyances date back to 2014, 2017, and 2022.
• 2C (Prime Sponsor: Keon Hardemon): Similar extension for Collective Developers LLC, with properties dating to 2016 (some 10 years old).
• Commissioner Bermudez voiced strong frustration over repeated extensions, noting that 12 years for a project is unacceptable. He called for a process to enforce reverter clauses and requested better communication from administration. Chief Morales explained that the county has recently sent 30 notices to property owners threatening reverter, and that some extensions are granted by the board. Commissioner Regalado noted that previous discussions under Chairman Pepe Diaz had led to a policy of deferring to district commissioners, but that the board never changed the underlying process. She suggested a future discussion on reverter triggers.
• On 2B specifically, Chairwoman Bastien defended the extension because the property had been tied up in litigation for seven years, only resolved in late 2024. Commissioner Bermudez accepted that explanation but reiterated the need for transparency.
• Outcome: Both items approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1G1 – Approved (voice vote). Surplus property will be conveyed to Voices on the Ground and Forge Capital Group for affordable housing development.
• Item 2A – Approved with amendments (voice vote). Ordinance will now require at least two public meetings for prospective housing projects, with virtual options and developer-funded costs. Senator Garcia will address concerns about the unsolicited process before full board consideration.
• Item 2B – Approved 5-0. Extensions granted for Little Haiti Housing Association, Collective Developers, and Integral Florida infill projects.
• Item 2C – Approved 5-0. Extension granted for Collective Developers LLC infill project.
• Consent items (3A, 3B) – Approved 5-0.
• Commissioner Lopez raised a privilege point about senior rent increases and the lack of on-site recertifications for Section 8 project-based voucher holders. Nathan (Housing Director) reported that starting July 2026, the department will pilot on-site renewals at River Park campus for seniors, with plans to expand countywide. The committee agreed to a future discussion on the affordability crisis for seniors on fixed incomes.

Next Steps

• The full Board of County Commissioners will consider the amended Item 2A ordinance with a report on the unsolicited proposal issue.
• The administration will continue tracking infill properties and report via the PCAD report.
• A future discussion on reverter clause enforcement and senior housing affordability will be scheduled.