It's being Discussed

Vol. 5, No. 8 10 September 2025

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON CITY PROPERTY

Commisisoner Rodriguez called a Sunshine Meeting last night to discuss with the Commission a proposal to build affordable [low-

income] housing on the City's lots near the Post Office.

He explained that the site would have two eight-story buildings with a total of 141 rental units. There would be 30 studio, 81 one-bedroom and 30 two-bedroom apartments. Below is the proposed floor plan for the floors above the lobby level.

(It may be a little hard to read the above diagram. Studio S means studio, Unit 1 means one-bedroom and Unit 2 means two-bedrooms.)

What is particularly attractive about these plans is that the yearly rentals would be based on the renter's income. Rents would range from $1,302* a month at the lowest end to $2,787 at the upper end. Those who would have first choice at renting an apartment would be Home Town Heros (police, fire fighters & veterans). The second round of choices would go to City Employees; third round would be South Miami residents or those former residents wanting to come back, and last (if there were any apartments left) would be the General Public.

*It should be noted, however, that a person who makes the minimum wage would not be able to afford to live in one of thses units.

I'm wondering if a round could be inserted between the third and fourth rounds. Such a round could give people who work in South Miami - all the healthcare employees, the staff of the shops and restaurants, etc. - a chance to secure an apartment. And, that might cut down on some traffic.

As far as I know, no municipality has ever instituted this kind of system for selecting tenants. It seems quite appropriate to me to set up priorities that fit with the needs of South Miami and its current population.

I rather like the fact that South Miami is a city that has industry as part of its make-up. I am not at all eager to see the businesses near the Post Office replaced by housing. However, these lots have been standing empty and unkempt for years, and little or no truly affordable housing is being built anywhere.

Below are the architects' visions of how these two buildings will look.

If that's the way they turn out, they will be a whole lot nicer than the recent gray and black monsters that have been erected in South Miami. In addition to looking happier, white helps to dissipate heat that black walls absorb.

No space for parking is planned within the development. It has been suggested that residents will park on the street, or, perhaps, be able to rent spaces in the MetroRail garage. From what I have heard, even at its busiest times, that garage is only half full. That means there might be room for as many as 900 cars.

At this time the developers and designers are setting up one-on-one meetings with the Commissioners to get their input and answer questions. How soon their proposal will be brought to the Commission for a vote is not known. In the meantime, why not let your opinions be known? Why not let your Commissioners know that this seems like a good and valuable use of that long-dormant land? Sure would be nice to have some affordable housing available in this City!

Keep safe, stay healthy!