Developer-driven legislation in Hialeah to reward more density to projects that set aside apartments for low-income residents is likely to win final approval.
On Wednesday, the Hialeah City Council unanimously approved on first reading an ordinance that gives developers up to an additional 25 units per acre if they designate 15 percent of a project’s units for tenants who earn up to 60 percent of Miami-Dade County area median income, or AMI, currently $79,400.
Hialeah councilman Jesus Tundidor, the legislation’s sponsor, explained to his colleagues that the ordinance was the result of feedback from an affordable housing task force primarily made up of builders. The nine-member panel included Coconut Grove-based Terra’s David Martin, Coconut Grove-based Related Urban’s Alberto Milo and Miami Lake-based Prestige Builders’ Alex Ruiz.
Tundidor sought the task force’s input to come up with a measure that offers more realistic housing options for Hialeah’s low-income residents. He cited Florida’s Live Local Act as ineffective in Hialeah because the state legislation allows developers to set aside units for residents who earn up to 120 percent of the county’s AMI. In Hialeah, that doesn’t really help the city’s blue collar residents, Tundidor said.
“Although well intentioned, it shouldn’t be one size fits all,” Tundidor said at the council meeting. “We wanted to find the sweet spot. [The ordinance] is a great step forward.”
Developers who agree to set aside 15 percent of their projects for low-income residents will be able to build 100 units per acre, instead of 70 units per acre under the city’s current zoning code, the ordinance states. Developers would also get parking reductions for each affordable housing unit they build.
The city will also set up an affordable housing trust fund for developers who want the increased density, but don’t want to set aside the 15 percent of units. Builders would be required to pay $30,000 for each affordable housing unit the project would have had, Tundidor explained.
Tundidor’s colleagues praised the legislation and passed it without much discussion. “This is a win-win,” said Hialeah councilman Luis Rodriguez. “When you have more apartments, you have more affordability.”