Islamorada’s Wet Net

Monroe County’s Southcliff

Most critical issue in the Florida Keys? Perhaps lack of workforce housing - just ahead of traffic and the budget, and over-development.  

What is being done about housing costs?  Is it impossible to fix?  Is it even a priority to elected officials?

Back ten years ago the Village allocated 14 of the 28 available building allocations per year to affordable housing. After a couple years the formula was changed, providing just 6 affordable allocations and 22 market rate.  A decision that seemed to reflect on Council priorities.

Only projects that spell “big profit” to the investor have been of much interest. No real workforce housing priority has been demonstrated. Buy land and let it sit unused. Allocations unused. No effort at compliance.

With the extremely high cost of land and construction who can afford to build and not be allowed to rent or sell at a profit?  

The answer - companies getting government subsidies or not for profits benefiting from subsidies and donations.