Miami-Dade Housing Committee Meeting Summary – September 9, 2026

The Housing Committee convened on September 9, 2026, at 12:30 PM (agenda time) and considered two public hearings: the Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Five-Year Public Housing Agency Plan (Item 1G1) and an amendment to the Local Housing Assistance Plan (Item 1G2) required by Senate Bill 594. The committee also approved resolutions related to the Infill Housing Program and the clerk's minutes. Discussions focused on the county's new attainable housing instrumentality, mobile home park closure assistance, and concerns about government involvement in housing development.

Consent Calendar

• The remainder of the agenda (Item 2A – Amended and Restated County Deeds for Infill Housing Program, and Item 6A – Approval of the Clerk's Summary of Minutes for July 14, 2026) was moved and passed unanimously without separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 1G1 (Five-Year Plan): Winita Holmes, a homeless senior with disabilities, expressed disappointment that a congressional priority for people with disabilities had been reduced to a preference point. She also complained about mistreatment by contractors and staff.
• Item 1G2 (Local Housing Assistance Plan Amendment): Multiple speakers addressed mobile home park closures:
  • Alice Jin Joseph (Soar Park resident) argued that the proposed $10,000 compensation for homeowners is far below the area's median price of $40,000–$50,000 and urged a fair agreement before evictions.
  • Ahmed Mori (housing advocate) supported the county's effort to implement SB 594 but requested raising the $10,000 cap, ensuring municipalities not eligible for SHIP funds are covered, and exploring use of SHIP funds for land acquisition.
  • Paul Christian (Family Action Network Movement) asked for fair compensation for mobile homeowners, noting that $10,000 does not cover relocation and property loss, especially for elderly residents.
  • Carrie Feit (Community Justice Project attorney) cautioned that relocation assistance should not substitute for park owner compensation and recommended raising the cap. She also noted that the Florida Housing Finance Corporation corrected language to cover homeowners "facing park closure."
  • Alisa Vignale (real estate developer) proposed a pilot using factory-built homes on public land under ground lease, but was asked to conclude before finishing.
  • Jeffrey Hearn (Legal Services of Greater Miami) stressed that mobile homes are often the last unsubsidized affordable housing and that the program should supplement, not replace, developer obligations.
  • Mariano Choa (neighbor of Silver Court Mobile Home Park residents) asked that residents inside municipalities (e.g., City of Miami) not be left out and requested a meeting with Commissioner Regalado.
  • Additional residents from Soar Park (including a Spanish speaker) described receiving eviction notices and said $10,000 is insufficient given the high cost of living. One resident noted that residents who accepted the $10,000 now face economic hardship.
• Final public comment on both items: A speaker emphasized that relocation costs are often far higher than the assistance and that land for relocation should also be considered.

Discussion Items

• Item 1G1 – Five-Year Plan and Miami-Dade Attainable Housing Corp.: Director Nathan (HCD) explained that the five-year plan must include the newly established 501c3 instrumentality (Miami-Dade Attainable Housing Corp.) because the board created it and HUD needs notification. Commissioner McGee questioned the lack of community notice and expressed strong skepticism about the county becoming a developer, citing personal experience growing up in housing projects that later deteriorated. He worried that resources for maintenance and management would not follow. Commissioners Lopez and Bermudez shared similar philosophical concerns, agreeing the county should not replicate what the private sector does well. Commissioner Regalado noted that the plan only mirrors what the board already approved and that safeguards can be addressed when the shared-use agreement comes to the board. The director agreed to meet with Commissioner McGee to discuss management standards.
• Item 1G2 – SHIP Plan Amendment: The administration proposed an amendment to align with SB 594: adding "extremely low" income categories, changing relocation assistance language to target those "deprived of housing" rather than "evicted," and removing the reference to eviction due to mobile home park closure. Commissioner Lopez questioned the $10,000 cap, noting Miami-Dade's higher costs. Director Nathan explained that SHIP funding is limited (roughly $1.5–2 million after other obligations) and that the cap came from Florida Housing guidance. He confirmed the county can adjust the amount during implementation. Commissioner McGee suggested conducting an inventory of mobile home parks in unincorporated areas and studying best practices from other large counties. Commissioner Regalado pointed out that municipalities receiving SHIP (like Miami) are also required to amend their plans, and that the county should prioritize unincorporated areas and municipalities without SHIP. She also mentioned a state Mobile Home Relocation Trust Fund as another resource. The chair directed the director to meet with community organizations and residents to refine the program.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1G1 (Resolution 261477): Passed unanimously (5-0) after a public hearing. The resolution approves the FY 2025-2029 Five-Year Public Housing Agency Plan and authorizes its submission to HUD.
• Item 1G2 (Resolution 261484, as amended): Passed unanimously (5-0) after a public hearing. The amendment adopted aligns the Local Housing Assistance Plan with SB 594 requirements, including adding "extremely low" income categories and updating relocation assistance language. The director will conduct further outreach and analysis of mobile home park needs, caps, and best practices.
• The remainder of the agenda (Items 2A and 6A) was approved without objection.
• Director Nathan committed to meeting with Commissioner McGee and other stakeholders to discuss management standards for the housing instrumentality and to present a detailed shared-use agreement at a future board meeting.