The Need in Miami-Dade County

Finding safe, affordable housing is a struggle for thousands of families in Miami-Dade County. With high poverty rates, rising housing costs, and a shortage of quality homes, many families, especially women, working families, and people of color, face difficult choices between paying for rent, utilities, and other basic needs. These challenges often leave families living paycheck to paycheck with little room for savings or emergencies.
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At Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, we see these challenges firsthand. We are committed to building homes and hope for families who need it most.

Poverty in the County

Miami-Dade County faces significant economic challenges. According to the World Population Review (2024):

• The overall poverty rate is 15.26%, higher than Florida’s state average of 13.11%.
• 16.76% of women in the county live in poverty, compared to the state’s 14.15%.

These numbers represent thousands of families struggling to afford housing alongside basic living expenses.

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Families Struggling to Make Ends Meet

The United Way reports that 34% of households in Miami-Dade are ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These families earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but only enough to cover a “survival budget,” leaving nothing for savings or emergencies.

Shortage of Safe, Affordable Housing

Miami-Dade has a severe shortage of affordable housing. Many existing units are substandard:

• 1 in 3 apartment buildings fails safety standards, putting residents at risk of fire and health hazards.
• Overcrowding is common, as families share homes to afford rent.
• Thousands live in unsafe conditions while paying high rents.
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Affordable rental options are scarce. According to the Housing Affordability Index by Realythop.com (May 2024):

• Miami is the second least affordable housing market in the country.
• The median home listing price is $710,000.
• The average family spends $4,378/month on mortgage payments and property taxes.

Why Homeownership Matters

Increasing homeownership strengthens neighborhoods and improves quality of life:

• Families stay longer in the community and become more involved in civic activities.
• Homeownership stabilizes neighborhoods by replacing vacant lots and generating tax revenue.
• It builds wealth through equity growth and mortgage interest tax deductions.

💙 Miami Habitat's Role ​

Since 1989, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami has partnered with families, volunteers, and donors to provide safe, affordable homes. Our work:

• Breaks down economic and social barriers.
• Brings together people of diverse races, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds to achieve a common goal.
• Supports families in creating stability, independence, and opportunity

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Definition of Affordable Housing (Florida Statutes, Chapter 420):
Housing is considered affordable when monthly rent or mortgage payments, including taxes, insurance, and utilities, do not exceed 30% of a household’s income.