South Florida

See 7 trends in Miami shaping the future of affordable and workforce housing

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Emerging trends in the affordable and workforce housing sector for 2025 reflect widespread efforts to alleviate a crisis.

Efforts include forgivable loan programs aimed at bolstering homeownership among underrepresented groups as well as workforce housing developments benefiting first responders and public employees.

Public-private collaborations are addressing housing affordability. Tax incentives play a substantial role in enabling developers to maintain lower rents while offering modern amenities.

Eviction prevention programs and redevelopment efforts like the transformation of Little River underscores a growing commitment to prevent displacement.

Take a look at what's happening in South Florida.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Sipiwe Anderson, a condo owner, looks at paperwork related to her special assessment on June 10, 2023 for her condo in Miami Beach.

NO. 1: FACING A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT? MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OFFERS A $50K LOAN TO HELP CONDO OWNERS

Many condo owners found relief in this county loan program. Money is tight for the future. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rebecca San Juan

OneUnited Bank in West Little River is working with first-time homebuyers to make homeownership a reality. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 2: SAVING FOR A DOWN PAYMENT IN MIAMI? A BLACK-OWNED BANK IS OFFERING FORGIVABLE LOANS

A new program offered by the Black-owned OneUnited Bank is offering certain first-time homeowners in Miami forgivable loans of up to $50,000. | Published January 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Butler

Condo inventory reached a new high in August in Miami-Dade County, finally tipping the market in favor of buyers. Above: Apartment rentals and condominiums dot the waterfront in North Bay Village. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 3: CONDOS IN FLORIDA ARE FACING A GROWING CRISIS. WHAT’S NEXT FOR OWNERS AFTER DEADLINE?

Safety guidelines that went into effect this year are driving up costs and scaring off buyers. | Published February 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rebecca Liebson

On Friday night, roughly 50 homeless people were sent to stay at the Bikini Hostel at 1247 West Ave. in South Beach. By Milena Malaver

NO. 4: MIAMI BEACH COMMISSIONERS DEMAND SHUTDOWN OF HOSTEL SHELTERING OVER 100 HOMELESS PEOPLE

Miami Beach officials allocated $100,000 for the individuals to be relocated to Miami, an offer the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust called a “non-starter.” | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Leibowitz

Renderings from the Swerdlow Group show a Main Street-style commercial and residential district and the entrance to a new Tri-Rail commuter station that would be built under a massive proposal that aims to transform a broad swath of Miami’s Little River-Little Haiti neighborhood.

NO. 5: NOW WITH MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MASSIVE MAKEOVER PLAN FOR LITTLE RIVER WINS APPROVAL

“Everyone for 20 blocks in every direction is going to gain a lot from this. It’s going to be very good for everybody,” the developer says. | Published March 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci

The Era, Affiliated Development’s latest project, is currently under construction in Fort Lauderdale. The apartment building is meant to help address the area’s lack of affordable workforce housing.

NO. 6: NEW FORT LAUDERDALE APARTMENT WILL OFFER ‘LUXURY’ AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO CITY’S WORKFORCE

The ongoing development efforts come as an affordable housing crisis continues embroiling South Florida, where residents are the most rent-burdened people in the country. | Published March 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amanda Rosa

Attendees listen to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava make a pledge to the community during the PACT Nehemiah Action Assembly on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Cutler Bay, Fla. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 7: ’RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH.’ INTERFAITH GROUP DEMANDS ACTION FROM MIAMI-DADE LEADERS

One of Miami-Dade’s most politically engaged interfaith groups held their annual assembly to press elected leaders to make housing more affordable and reducing evictions in Miami-Dade County. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lauren Costantino

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.