County commission approves relocation agreement for displaced Annie Coleman residents

The Miami-Dade County Housing Committee convened on July 8, 2025, to address pressing housing issues and community concerns. The meeting featured discussions on community benefits agreements (CBAs), environmental health issues, and housing equity.

The session began with community advocate Annie Coleman highlighting the ongoing displacement of residents since the closure of the Annie Coleman housing project in February 2019. She emphasized the importance of community involvement in the development of CBAs, urging compliance with the county ordinance adopted last year that mandates specific commitments within these agreements. Coleman expressed hope for productive outcomes following recent meetings with the Housing Community Development (HCD) department.

Anita Holmes, executive founder of Wave of Women in Public Housing, raised concerns regarding environmental health, particularly the high cancer rates in the Poinciana area. She criticized the lack of comprehensive responses to these health issues and called for better communication and action regarding environmental remediation. Holmes stressed the need for accountability, particularly for vulnerable populations affected by industrial development.

Steve Cleary, a resident of Southwest Miami-Dade, shared his personal experience with homelessness and the perceived inequities in housing applications. He argued that the current system favors certain groups, contributing to ongoing homelessness in the area. Cleary urged the committee to address these discrepancies to ensure fair housing opportunities for all residents.

The meeting also included procedural updates, with the attorney announcing two additional agenda items. These included a resolution awarding development rights to Integra Solutions, LLC, for the redevelopment of the Annie Coleman site and a master development agreement with R U D G, LLC, for the Clyde Pepper Towers project, valued at approximately $682 million.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical need for community engagement in housing development, environmental health considerations, and equitable housing policies in Miami-Dade County. The committee's next steps will involve further discussions on these issues and the implementation of the proposed resolutions.