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FAQs
Q. I am a Miami Beach renter. Do you have a program to help me buy my own home?
A. Yes, the City offers down payment assistance up to $150,000 for eligible applicants through its First-Time Homebuyer Program funded by the State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP), contingent upon funding availability. Eligible applicants must provide 2% down and obtain a mortgage for the balance of the acquisition cost. A portion of SHIP funds must be used to improve the property.
Q. I just received a violation on my property and cannot afford to make the necessary repairs. Does the City have a program to help me?
A. Yes, the City’s Homeowner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program provides up to $70,000 in forgivable loans, contingent upon funding availability, for eligible property owners in need of repairs to their home including those triggered by code and building violations. Participants must agree to use the assisted property as their main residence for 15 years.
Q. I am looking for a low-income rental unit and see that the City operates several buildings. Can I obtain a rental unit?
A. The City maintains 89 affordable, residential units. Because these buildings were acquired and/or rehabilitated with federal funds, the City is required to maintain a waitlist for tenants accessing these buildings. The City’s waitlist is currently closed.
Q. What is Fair Housing and what are my rights as a tenant?
A. The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. The prohibitions specifically cover discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children. The City collaborates with HOPE Fair Housing Center to educate tenants about their housing rights. You can reach HOPE via its website at www.hopefhc.com
Q. What are the current Fair Market Rates?
A.
|
Year |
Efficiency |
One-Bedroom |
Two-Bedroom |
Three-Bedroom |
Four-Bedroom |
|
2023-FMR |
$1,362 |
$1,546 |
$1,923 |
$2,530 |
$2,997 |
Q. Where can I get more information on Tenant Rights?
A. Miami Dade County instituted The Office of Housing Advocacy to help tenants with tenant-landlord issues. Miami Dade County also passed the “Tenants Bill of Rights”, outlining protections for tenants.
For more information you can go to: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1652192015243613 or you can call the hotline at: 786-469-4545 (*Note: This is not a City of Miami Beach phone number.)
To read the Tenants Bill of Rights, you can go to: https://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/matter.asp?matter=221055&file=false&fileAnalysis=false&yearFolder=Y2022
Q. Where can I look to find affordable housing?
A. Miami-Dade County promotes Housing Locator portal here [http://www.socialserve.com/tenant/FL/Search.html?type=rental®ion_id=31075]
