Statement from County Commissioner Eileen Higgins

MIAMI-DADE – Today, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners (the “County”) adopted Item 11A15, approving the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation (MBCDC) for the County to take ownership and control of several affordable housing properties. This is a statement from County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5.

"At today's Board of County Commissioners meeting, Miami-Dade County officially agreed to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Miami Beach Community Development Corporation to takeover 16 distressed, low income and elderly housing buildings in the cities of Miami Beach and Miami. In recent years, MBCDC has been facing financial challenges and is unable to maintain the buildings properly while making loan and insurance payments.

Prior to this agreement, the properties were at risk of foreclosure with no legal provisions in place to ensure their long-term affordability. The County’s action will prevent the loss of 357 affordable units and ensure the families inhabiting them can stay in their homes.

I have been working for months to ensure these buildings remain affordable. It is a huge relief to know that the hundreds of residents living in these affordable buildings no longer need to worry about losing their homes in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. When I met with the residents to tell them the news last week, they too were relieved.

In addition to purchasing the buildings, the County has also committed funding to make much needed repairs and upgrades. I look forward to having these buildings looking spic and span in the coming months. There is no reason for affordable housing to be substandard housing.

I want to thank my colleagues for their support on this matter and look forward to continuing our efforts to preserve and expand Miami-Dade's affordable housing inventory."