Committee adopts LHAP amendment to implement SB 594; residents and advocates say $10,000 cap is inadequate

The Miami‑Dade County Housing Committee voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the county Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) to align with state legislation on mobile home park closures (SB 594). The amendment adds "extremely low" income as a served category and strikes narrow language that had limited aid to those already evicted, replacing it with language allowing assistance to residents "deprived of affordable housing."

Director Nathan said the county followed guidance from Florida Housing when setting an initial $10,000 relocation cap and an additional $5,000 for rental assistance, and described the allocation as a "first pass" that can be adjusted during implementation. Nathan noted SHIP funding constraints—roughly $7–8 million annually, with large portions reserved for homeownership and rehabilitation—leaving an initial estimate of $1.5–$2 million potentially available for this activity.

Residents and advocates urged a higher award and earlier access to funds. "$10,000 may bear little relationship to the actual loss," said Ahmed Mori of a coalition of housing groups, urging the county to raise the cap and to develop mechanisms for municipalities that do not receive SHIP dollars. Legal Services attorney Jeffrey Hearn warned that relocation assistance should supplement, not replace, developer obligations, telling the committee: "This should be a supplement on top of what the developer should be providing to the residents."

Commissioners asked staff to inventory mobile home parks, compare best practices in other large Florida counties and cities, and to consult with municipal partners (several of which receive SHIP funds directly). The chair directed staff to meet with community organizations and residents to refine implementation details before returning to the board.