Almost 7K Apply in 1 Day for Affordable Housing Wait List

Almost 7K Apply in 1 Day for Affordable Housing Wait List Miami Beach opened its wait list for affordable housing and nearly 7K pre-applications came in over the first 24 hours – “a powerful measure of what’s needed.”

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – When Miami Beach opened its wait list for affordable housing, more than 6,600 pre-applications came through in the first 24 hours. It was only the third time since 2015 that the wait list has been opened.

Residents could apply online for studio apartments for up to two people at Madeleine Village in North Beach and Neptune Apartments in South Beach.

Applicants had to have household incomes of no less than $8,868 and no more than $47,450 for a household of one and $54,200 for a household of two. The monthly rent for the studio apartments is $739. Up to 1,000 wait list applicants will be chosen on July 10 from pre-applications.

"It's a powerful measure of what's needed," said Maria Ruiz, director of Miami Beach's Office of Housing and Community Services. "Clearly there are a lot of people who are having a hard time keeping a roof over their heads. Opportunities like this to be able to provide safe, secure housing is something that is very valuable. There's just a greater marketplace for people who are having a hard time finding what they can afford. These units provide an opportunity to those people who are struggling."

The city currently has 51 studio apartment units designated as affordable housing.

Source: Miami Herald (07/02/19) Waller, Allyson