The Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to begin construction on affordable housing at 1900 NW 2nd Court, Miami, in Overtown.
The project will construct twin homes for families, each with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.
“Miami ... is one of the most expensive places to live, to rent and to own," said Cornelius Shiver, the Executive director of the CRA. "So the main benefit is to bring affordable housing homes that are affordable to the community."
The median income in Miami Dade County is less than $50,000 a year and the median income in Overtown is $20,000.
"So what is affordable on the county level may not be affordable on the Overtown level," Shivers said. "One of the unique things about this project is it will be affordable to residents who live in Overtown."
He envisions the homes as family-friendly spaces. “We believe that if you own your own home you become a better father, a better mother, a better husband, a better wife.”
Brian Zeltsman, the Director of Architecture and Development, said it's just one of many affordable projects the CRA is working on.
The houses are expected to be completed in 10 months.
