Miami-Dade Launches Affordable Housing Boom Under New Local Act

Goulds, South Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA - In an ambitious move to tackle Florida’s ongoing housing crisis, the **Live Local Act** is shaking up the construction landscape. Approved two years ago, this law is engineered to streamline housing construction by lifting local density limits, paving the way for faster development. Miami-Dade County is already seeing the fruits of this initiative with the Beacon Hill at Princeton project, launched by developers Matthew Martinez and David Rothenstein. This project features three-story garden-style buildings and will boast 112 affordable rental apartments tailored for middle-income earners.

Groundbreaking for Beacon Hill occurred on June 6, with a hopeful completion date set for late next year. Renters have a bit of breathing room with monthly rates ranging from $1,700 to $1,900 for one-bedroom apartments and $2,100 to $2,300 for two-bedrooms. However, it’s essential for potential tenants to keep an eye on income caps, which sit at 120% of the county’s median—approximately $95,000. And while the Live Local Act opens many doors, critics argue it has led to a rise in proposals for high-density luxury units, rather than genuinely addressing the workforce housing crisis. The county faces a staggering shortfall of 17,000 workforce homes and 90,000 low-income housing units.

Expanding Horizons: New Developments in Goulds

In a similar vein, the Live Local Act is spurring growth beyond traditional urban centers. Notably, RCC Developers is gearing up to construct a 25-story multifamily tower in Goulds, located in South Miami-Dade County. This ambitious proposal includes 300 units along with 5,900 square feet of retail space and 290 parking spots, all sprouting from 1.4 acres at the bustling intersection of Southwest 214th Street and U.S. 1. Designed by Modis Architects, the building will provide 120 apartments for households earning no more than 120% of the area median income, in line with the goals of the Live Local Act.

This initiative highlights the need for taller buildings in areas previously dominated by low-rise construction, a shift backed by local planning districts. In an attractive market where buildable land remains more affordable compared to Miami’s urban core, developers are keen on exploring such opportunities. Other projects are also on the horizon, including a sizable eight-story building with 206 units proposed by K2 Capital Group and a plan for 192 single-family homes by Lennar.

Statewide Housing Trends

The urgency behind these developments transcends local initiatives. The Shimberg Center has revealed pressing statistics in its 2024 Annual Report that shed light on Florida’s housing market. In 2023, the state produced about 138,000 single-family homes and added 53,000 multifamily apartments, with intense activity in Orange, Miami-Dade, and Broward Counties. Despite this construction spree, the median home price remained around $410,000—consistent with previous figures but drastically higher than mid-2000s levels.

A staggering 884,000 low-income renters face financial strain, spending over 40% of their income on housing. This dilemma underscores the vital need for affordable housing and calls attention to the importance of initiatives like the Live Local Act. As developers like Martinez, Rothenstein, and the teams behind RCC continue to lay brick by brick, the hope is that these new projects will help turn the tide in a beleaguered housing market.

With the complexities of Florida’s housing landscape at hand, only time will reveal whether these initiatives can satisfy the pressing need for affordable homes or if the specter of dense luxury living will continue to loom large over the state’s future.