In a continuing effort to inform and educate the residents of current events, mandates and issues that affect the lives of residents and our unique environment, I submit the following:

Last week our editorial discussed “affordable housing”. We were concerned about Monroe County Facebook page advertising of 12 Southcliff Estates apartments:

• 1 bedroom apartments for$2,995/month.

• Required minimum income listed:$71,880;

• eligible tenants: tourism industry employees only.

The $2,995/month for rent is over the top and not realistic!  

It wasn’t long before Monroe County had several hundred comments regarding their posted ad, and the public reaction was overwhelmingly negative.

So what did the County do?  

They removed the opportunity to comment on their Facebook page and removed all the prior comments.

Will Southcliff rental rates be discussed at the upcoming August 20 commission meeting? Let’s hope so because yes, there is a problem, Commissioners.

What have we learned since last week?

As to the rent: On July 16. 2025 the County Commission removed a deed restriction placed on the property in 2022 specifying that the 1-bedroom units would be low income housing for at least the next 99 years.

The County Commissioners replaced it with a new deed restriction making the units moderate income housing for the next 99 years.

What’s the difference? Maximum rent limit for low income would have been $2085/month, about a $1,000 less than the new deed restriction.

Still high, but better.

The TDC funding, approved by the Florida Legislature and used to pay for the County purchase of the property specifies moderate income housing and therefore the higher maximum rent is allowed… but not required. 

A majority of our hospitality workers would probably fall into the low income category, not moderate.

Our legislators should be asked why the moderate? They should know the plight of our hospitality workers.  But they also know that the category simply sets an absolute  maximum limit for rent. And provides flexibility. Who would have guessed the County would ask close to the maximum rent and blame it on the legislature?  

Both low and moderate limits are higher than what is needed to address our problem.

Monroe County Median Income problem:

The limits are calculated based on the current median income for Monroe County: $118,000. A number that goes up dramatically, year after year, as our middle class is priced out of the Keys, replaced by the millionaires and corporate buyers.

The county purchased the housing with a majority of “free” money from the TDC, (nothing is free) not funds from their own accounts.

The County should provide what was intended – a rent break for members of the workforce.

The minimum salary advertised at $71,880 was based on the rent of $2,995 being 50% of the annual income. If the rent is $2000/month, the minimum salary would be $48,000 – not $71,880.

It is essential that the low income workers receive a rent commensurate with their income.

We ask the County Commissioners to make the adjustment at their meeting on the 20th of August.

As to the purchase of the Southcliff Estates:

The purchase contract details the source of funds:

• $6,867,100 with TDC funding for 11 units, from the $35 million TDC excess

• $654,549 of Infrastructure Sales to purchase the 12th unit.

• Total cost including closing costs, water and wastewater charges: $7,521,649

The nearly $6.9 million from TDC is the allocation for TDC District IV (Long Key

through Islamorada) and District V (Tavernier and Key Largo). We are guessing this purchase may have used all or most of the $35 million TDC funds for projects north of the Long Key Bridge.

Wake up Islamorada! Doesn’t the Village have any possible affordable housing projects? Several current Village Council members spent years on our Affordable Housing Committee.

Possible motive for the high rent:

The purchase of the Southcliff Estates12 units includes enough land, with existing permits, for another 16 affordable units – total of 28 on the property.

The County seems to want the occupants of the first 12 units to contribute to future expansion. Residents who can least afford it.

A County document (page 2) indicates the high rent is to assure the county can cover Southcliff costs for things like insurance without increasing taxes. But at full occupancy the revenue for the 12 units at $2,995 would be over $430,000/year.

Also on the Aug 20 Commission Agenda: The council is being asked to reserve 146 affordable ROGO allocations for the property immediately to the north, adjoining Southcliff Estates. Between the two projects… a cluster of 174 affordable units.

This housing is definitely needed! But why as one large very dense neighborhood?

The County code limits incentives for “workforce housing” to projects no greater than 20 units without special processing. The logical desire is to scatter the housing throughout the Upper Keys.

We ask our County, Village and state legislatures to listen to the people.

It is what you are elected to do.

Make the obvious changes for your residents.

As always,

Tom Raffanello

Reply to: ICA.in.Keys@gmail.com