Why isn’t Islamorada included in this study?  The county recognizes that they need answers as to the size of the dwellings most in demand, rental versus ownership, location, cost.  Doesn’t the Village need the same analysis?  The most recent Islamorada study was done in 2007 and focused only on the Village rather than including surrounding communities.

Monroe County purchased a complex with 18 one-bedroom deed restricted apartments in Key Largo 9 months ago. They’re having a really tough time finding any tenants.  

Much of the workforce in Islamorada comes from outside the Village, often from the mainland. With the extremely high cost of living here, would they even consider moving away from their own community to live in Islamorada even if there was affordable housing available?

Islamorada put out an RFQ in January looking for proposals to create deed restricted multi-family rental housing at the “Machado” property at MM88.6.  The village received just two proposals.  The selection committee is scheduled to meet April 2 to evaluate the proposals.

The affordable housing needs analysis, required by our current Comprehensive Plan, is extremely out of date. Shouldn’t the selection of a contractor for the Machado property be deferred until an appropriate study has been completed? And until any recommendations by the Workforce/Affordable Housing committee are considered, along with any changes from the Comp Plan review and Charter Review?

There are hundreds of potential units in projects that are in the pipeline. The Village has waited for years to seriously address affordable housing.  Now is not the time to fast track the process. There is a significant need for current facts and to study the real needs.  No more depending on studies done a decade ago when times were so different.

Much thanks to the research and analysis of the local Habitat for Humanity efforts.

Click here to see their statistics for Upper Keys affordable housing and adjacent their Mainland Study.