How South Florida is tackling the affordable housing gap

South Florida faces a stubborn affordability gap as new high-end apartment complexes like Soleste Hollywood Blvd and the redeveloped Hollywood Bread Building rise across the region.

While projects such as University Station in Hollywood and the mixed-used towers planned in Miami's Health District aim to add affordable and workforce units, demand still far outpaces supply, with many renters spending over 30% of their income on housing.

Community efforts, like PACT’s fight for eviction diversion programs in Miami-Dade and the redevelopment of Liberty Square, show that advocates are pushing for more comprehensive solutions and protections for vulnerable tenants.

Take a look at what's happening.

Soleste Hollywood Blvd at 2001 Hollywood Blvd is pictured hovering among existing buildings on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Hollywood, Florida, as the city shores up its housing needs with development in its downtown area in an attempt to address the city’s affordable housing needs. By Carl Juste

NO. 1: EVEN AS HOLLYWOOD BUILDS MORE APARTMENTS DOWNTOWN, AFFORDABILITY REMAINS A CONCERN

A look at what is coming and why it might not be enough to ease housing pressure | Published October 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by rhabersham@miamiherald.comRaisa Habersham

An aerial view of Jackson Medical Towers, at 1500 NW 12th Avenue in Miami, Florida on Jan. 2, 2025. The Public Health Trust of Jackson Health System has approved a deal with Related Urban to demolish two existing towers, known as Jackson Medical Towers, and construct affordable workforce housing and an extended stay hotel.

NO. 2: CAN THESE TOWERS HELP AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IN MIAMI? TAKE A LOOK AT THE PLANS

The complex includes hundreds of rentals and a hotel. | Published January 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante Rebecca San Juan

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. 3: ’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

Condos line the Intracoastal Waterway in Sunny Isles Beach. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 4: HOW TO FIND IF YOUR FLORIDA CONDO IS ON SECRET BLACKLIST BLOCKING MORTGAGE LOANS

Fannie Mae, a federally chartered company that helps determine who qualifies for home mortgages, maintains a confidential database of condo buildings that it won’t back for loans, typically because of maintenance, insurance or financial issues.The number of South Florida condos on the list has more than doubled since 2023, according to figures complied by a law firm that obtained the database from a source. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci

Minnie Davis, 74, expresses her delight in having a larger stove for Thanksgiving dinner since moving into her one-bedroom apartment at Serenity of Liberty Square. Serenity of Liberty Square hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of phase four in a nine-phase redevelopment project that replaced the old Liberty Square pubic housing. By Carl Juste

NO. 5: THE LATEST PHASE OF THE NEWLY REDEVELOPED LIBERTY SQUARE IS MOVE-IN READY

Families at old Liberty Square move into new Miami apartment complex | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Raisa Habersham

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