How residents are responding to the high cost of housing in South Florida
This collection of stories explores how South Florida residents react to surging housing costs through community actions and personal decisions.
Articles highlight Miami-Dade County's interfaith group, which demands action from leaders to combat high rent and prevent evictions. Another story discusses how HOA fees contribute to the financial pressures faced by homeowners. An opinion piece suggests some residents choose to leave Miami for places with lower insurance and home prices. It also notes that wealthier newcomers increase living costs for everyone.
Read the stories below.
Home buyers should review fees for homeowners and condominium association fees to see if the amenities are worth it, including pool, gym, clubhouse.
NO. 1: ARE FEES FOR CONDO AND HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS WORTH IT? ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS
What buyers should know about the expense. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by LEW SICHELMAN
A mover pushes a box into a waiting moving van for a family leaving New York and relocating to another state, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, New York, NY, August 31, 2020. The mover said the demand was so high that he and three other moving companies were packing people's personal effects out of the same building. (Anthony Behar/Sipa USA)
NO. 2: WITH INSURANCE AND HOME PRICES SO HIGH, SOME ARE FINDING A WAY OUT — OF MIAMI | OPINION
Why the Chamber of Commerce says, 'We are seeing wealth migrate in – while portions of the workforce migrate out.' | Opinion | Published March 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by the Miami Herald Editorial Board
Attendees listen to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava make a pledge to the community during the PACT Nehemiah Action Assembly on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Cutler Bay, Fla. By Alie Skowronski
NO. 3: 'RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH.' INTERFAITH GROUP DEMANDS ACTION FROM MIAMI-DADE LEADERS
One of Miami-Dade's most politically engaged interfaith groups held their annual assembly to press elected leaders to make housing more affordable and reducing evictions in Miami-Dade County. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lauren Costantino
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
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Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
How a single shed in a Florida backyard triggered a flurry of HOA lawsuits costing local homeowners thousands
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Unlike regular HOA dues, special assessments are meant to be one-time fees designed to cover unexpected expenses. But this one follows another special assessment that the Stonebriar Improvement Association levied last year to the tune of $35,000, or $595 per household, The situation has caused anger to erupt in the once-peaceful East Lake community of 59 single-family homes. 'When we all got the letter that showed why this assessment was necessary, people really reacted,' resident Dorothy King said. What has residents at odds is the rationale. The board is raising the money to pay its legal fees in a long legal battle with one resident: John Siamas. As with so many battles, it started over something seemingly small. It all began in 2020 when Siamas installed what he describes as a small "plastic, snap-together shed" in his backyard. The HOA board said the structure violates a rule prohibiting outbuildings in Stonebriar, and is suing Siamas over the matter, demanding he take it down. 'He put up a shed and the covenants indicated no sheds — and the board nicely asked him to remove it. He said no,' resident John Papa said. 'One thing after another, now we've got a lawsuit on our hands.' Read more: No millions? No problem. With as little as $10, here's of diversified assets usually only available to major players For his part, Siamas says he told the Stonebriar Improvement Association board about his plan to install a shed, and the board never rejected it. Mind you, they didn't agree to it, either. Now Siamas has escalated an already tense situation with the board by attempting to trademark the HOA's name: Stonebriar Improvement Association, Inc. 'I think it's foolish,' Papa said. 'Why would he do it?' Many residents counter that the HOA's costly legal battles are foolish. The trademark case will cost an estimated $425 per hour over 141 hours through to November 2026. Former Stonebriar HOA president Stephen King says the trademark battle is unnecessary as the Stonebriar Improvement Association has served the community well for 33 years without having a trademarked name. Meanwhile, Siamas has filed federal complaints against HOA president Gayle Zelcs over the board's trademark challenge, saying she and the board are trying to ruin him financially and force him to 'sell his home' and move out of Stonebriar. For his part, Christensen agrees that the board and its president are causing unnecessary financial hardship in a battle he describes as 'nonsense.' He wants things to return to normal. 'It's a good family neighborhood,' he said. 'It used to be peaceful, no drama.' Living in an HOA-governed community comes with financial responsibilities that can go well beyond monthly dues. Special assessments for out-of-budget anomalies like legal fees, structural repairs or emergencies can cost homeowners thousands of dollars, often with little warning. Unlike traditional emergency expenses (like a car repair or medical bill), HOA assessments may be non-negotiable and time-sensitive, with tight payment deadlines and legal consequences for nonpayment. While you can't avoid them altogether, there are things you can do to ensure you're prepared: Budget for the unexpected. Plan for financial risks by building a designated HOA emergency reserve in addition to your general emergency fund. Many HOAs set aside 25 to 40% of their monthly dues for reserves to avoid sudden assessments. For individual homeowners planning, that translates to $2,000 to $5,000, ideally. To estimate what you'll need, review your HOA's budget, reserve studies (which outline anticipated expenditures) and minutes to understand upcoming projects and potential liabilities. If you see any red flags — lawsuits, aging buildings, vague expense reports — increase your reserve savings accordingly. Review governing documents early. If you're in the market for a condominium, understand the rules for special assessments before buying. For example, Florida law requires at least 14 days' notice before forming a special assessment meeting. Push for transparency. Attend meetings, demand clear breakdowns of fees and question exorbitant or unusual costs — like $82,000 in trademark legal expenses. Build community alliances. Get to know your neighbors and understand their concerns and questions. When you're in a unified front, it's easier to vote in new board members, renegotiate payment terms or challenge unfair assessments. Know your rights. Condominium boards can't always apply unlimited assessments without owner approval. HOAs may face similar constraints depending on the state law and bylaws they're subject to. If board actions seem suspect, seek legal counsel. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. 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Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
How a single shed in a Florida backyard triggered a flurry of HOA lawsuits costing local homeowners thousands
Formerly friendly neighbors in Stonebriar, a quiet subdivision in northern Pinellas County, Florida, are at odds over an $82,000 special assessment the homeowner's association (HOA) has levied. It's a lot of money — $1,400 per household. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it 'It's insane to ask people to pay that,' resident Ken Christensen told ABC Action News. 'We have lives besides our mortgage payments. I personally have a son in hockey. There are people with kids in college.' 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Former Stonebriar HOA president Stephen King says the trademark battle is unnecessary as the Stonebriar Improvement Association has served the community well for 33 years without having a trademarked name. Meanwhile, Siamas has filed federal complaints against HOA president Gayle Zelcs over the board's trademark challenge, saying she and the board are trying to ruin him financially and force him to 'sell his home' and move out of Stonebriar. For his part, Christensen agrees that the board and its president are causing unnecessary financial hardship in a battle he describes as 'nonsense.' He wants things to return to normal. 'It's a good family neighborhood,' he said. 'It used to be peaceful, no drama.' Living in an HOA-governed community comes with financial responsibilities that can go well beyond monthly dues. Special assessments for out-of-budget anomalies like legal fees, structural repairs or emergencies can cost homeowners thousands of dollars, often with little warning. 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Newsweek
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China's Answer to Starbucks Launches First Stores in US
Produced [by our journalists] with financial support from an organization or individual that did not approve or review the work. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's largest coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, opened its first two stores in the United States on Monday, marking its entry into the competitive American coffee market. The new locations are situated in Manhattan's Greenwich Village and NoMad neighborhood. The launch was accompanied by digital promotions, as well as discounted drinks for customers using the Luckin app and giveaways for early in-store visitors. Newsweek has reached out to Luckin via email for comment on the launch. Why It Matters Much of the hype surrounding Luckin's American launch has focused on the potential challenge the Chinese company poses to Starbucks. The latter has long-dominated the U.S. coffee market, valued at over $90 billion in 2025 by Custom Market Insights, and expected to grow to $151 billion over the next decade. Starbucks' is estimated to account for between 30 and 40 percent of this market's total revenue, but should Luckin's popularity take off, and its unique offerings resonate with U.S. consumers, this could recalibrate competitive dynamics across the American beverage sector. Newsweek has reached out to Starbucks for comment outside of regular business hours. What To Know Luckin Coffee was founded in 2017 and is based in Xiamen, China. Since its inception, the company has expanded to over 20,000 locations across Singapore, Malaysia and China, where it unseated Starbucks in 2023 to become the largest coffee chain brand in the country. The company promotes its tech-driven, cashier-less stores and mobile-ordering systems to cater to a younger clientele, describing its strategy as "completely changing the traditional coffee business mode." In China, its drinks are often priced about 30 percent lower than Starbucks' offerings, per CNN. However, prices in its U.S. stores remain comparable to Starbucks—a 16-ounce Americano costing $4.45 at Luckin and $4.95 at Starbucks' Greenwich Village location before tax. The rest of Luckin's Manhattan menus feature a range of hot coffees, cold brews and fruit-flavored "refreshers," echoing its popular selections in China. People stand outside a Luckin Coffee store in Manhattan, New York on June 30, 2025. People stand outside a Luckin Coffee store in Manhattan, New York on June 30, 2025. Anthony Behar/Sipa via AP Images While one of the brand's unique selling points is its emphasis on a cashier-less experience, USA Today notes New York's 2020 prohibition on fully cashless businesses—also in place across other major cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia—means Luckin will be forced to adapt to local regulations. While its modest U.S. launch has been framed by some as a challenge to Starbucks's American and global dominance, the former still vastly outsizes Luckin in financial terms. Both companies recently published results for their respective quarters which ended in March. Starbucks posted a slight increase in revenue to $8.8 billion for the period, though store sales were somewhat weaker across North American markets and globally. Luckin, meanwhile, brought in $1.2 billion, marking a 41-percent increase year-over year. What People Are Saying Luckin Coffee, in the first announcement of its U.S. launch last week, posted: "Drip level: International. The rumors are true, NYC. You're luckin now." "YC, it's happening. Our doors are open and Luckin Coffee is taking over the city," another post read. What Happens Next? Luckin has not yet commented on when and how it will be expanding its U.S. presence beyond the two New York locations. However, if it is able to replicate its successes in East Asia, the company could test Starbucks' dominance and reshape the coffee landscape for American consumers.
