In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Miami-Dade is supporting our neighbors across Florida. Members of our MDFR Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (USAR) and MDPD deployed to affected areas of our state to help people get back on their feet, providing medical support and search and rescue efforts. We are proud to stand with our neighbors and deeply grateful to the brave men and women of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Police for their service.
To our residents, thank you for heeding our calls and being prepared. These storms were a stark reminder of how critical it is to remain ready throughout hurricane season. Milton, in particular, brought a high level of destructive tornado activity – a record 120+ tornado warnings statewide – and we are grateful we were spared the worst here.
To support our neighbors across Florida, you can donate here to Global Empowerment Mission’s recovery efforts.
Our future-ready FY 2024-25 budget passed!
I’m so grateful for the collaboration of my colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners, and for YOU, our residents, for your engagement. Our new budget is fiscally responsible and accountable, provides critical services, prepares us for the creation of five new constitutional offices, and invests in our key priorities including housing, transit, public safety, the environment, and more.
As we do every year, we hosted town hall meetings so that you, our residents, have a chance to make your voices heard, advocate for the priorities you want to see funded, and have your questions answered. Thank you to all who came out. Together, with engaged residents and a responsive government, we are building a Miami-Dade where everyone can thrive. Watch the video.
Building a Future-Ready Community
Climate Week NYC
I joined leaders from around the globe in New York City to speed up progress in making our world more resilient, in the face of a rapidly changing climate. We talked about the future of climate tech, an area where Miami-Dade is proud to lead through the South Florida Climate Ready Tech Hub. We met with leaders from coast to coast, like Mayor Gallego of Phoenix, AZ. And we strategized with federal and private partners about opportunities for continued collaboration to tackle this challenge head on.
A Flood-Ready Miami-Dade
In August, I hosted a roundtable with our municipal partners alongside Commissioner Micky Steinberg to further coordinate our flood preparedness and response. We presented our updated Flood Response Plan to increase collaboration with our 34 cities – essential to protecting our residents, homes and businesses countywide.
Water knows no boundaries, and we must be good neighbors and work together to prevent and mitigate flooding to protect our community. I thank our cities for their leadership and partnership as we work to get through this flood season together and make proactive investments to increase our resilience. Learn more.
Milestones in Affordable Housing
When we say we’ve been working hard to tackle the housing crisis by increasing the supply of affordable options, we mean it! Just in the last two months, I have joined FIVE major groundbreakings or grand openings of new affordable housing developments in our community. Each of these milestones is a step toward a better future, with more housing you can afford. Learn more about:
Palmetto Homes - two affordable single-family homes and 12 townhomes in Opa-Locka, complete with solar panels and other energy efficient components
Quail Roost Station – an upcoming affordable housing development for older adults that will provide direct access to public transportation in South Dade
Haley Sofge Towers 800 – newly revitalized housing for older adults in Little Havana, now completely reimagined as part of our River Parc Master Plan
Royal Pointe Apartments – an upcoming affordable housing development for families in South Dade developed in partnership with Martin Memorial AME Church
Legacy at 36th Apartments – a new apartment community in central-west Miami-Dade leasing at more affordable rates
Tackling Florida’s Condo Crisis
I joined the Miami Herald's panel conversation with community leaders to discuss the urgent challenges condo owners are facing and what solutions are needed to tackle this growing crisis. From creating the largest Community Associations Registry in the state, to offering zero interest loans to owners facing high-cost special assessments and implementing stricter building safety codes, Miami-Dade is leading the way. Watch the conversation here.
Community Corner
Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, Miami-Dade County proudly celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month! Our community is nearly 70% Hispanic, and we’re proud to highlight the rich culture and heritage of our Hispanic community year-round.
Our county’s Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board and the Celia Cruz Foundation unveiled a special exhibit honoring the queen of salsa in the Stephen P. Clark Center lobby, and our Department of Transportation and Public Works continued their cultural bus tours.
More After-School Choices for you!
Back to school means back to after-school programs too. The county is once again collaborating with the Children’s Trust, our public schools, and Jewish Community Services to offer More After-School Choices for our children and families. Visit 211miami.org/afterschool or call 211 to learn more.
