Latest news with #StephaniaGermain
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
It can be expensive to live in South Florida. Here are some of the issues
South Florida It can be expensive to live in South Florida. Here are some of the issues This collection of stories focuses on Miami's struggles with high housing costs. The first article highlights the financial strain on Miami residents, with rising rents reaching unprecedented levels, surpassing even cities like New York and Los Angeles. It tells the story of a single mother whose rent dramatically increased, leaving little room in her budget. A second story discusses the burden of homeowner association fees, noting that a significant number of properties in Miami are subject to these additional costs. In addition, the interfaith group demanding action on high rent prices from Miami-Dade leaders underscores the county's significant affordability challenges, pushing for eviction diversion programs. Read the stories below. Stephania Germain, 24, who is on a Section 8 housing voucher, poses inside her apartment that she lives in with her daughter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Miami. Germain was raised in foster care and is doing the best she can for herself and her baby. She says that even with the voucher, with recent increases it makes paying rent tough. 'It just keeps going up and I don't get a break to save, and I need new baby clothes, ya know they grow out of them so fast,' said Germain. By Alie Skowronski NO. 1: MIAMIANS ARE THE MOST RENT-BURDENED PEOPLE IN AMERICA — AND THEY'RE STRESSED ABOUT IT New Census Bureau data shows that Miamians spend a larger chunk of their incomes on housing than residents in all other major American cities. | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Max Klaver Home buyers should review fees for homeowners and condominium association fees to see if the amenities are worth it, including pool, gym, clubhouse. NO. 2: 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 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.
Miami Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
How are we dealing with housing issues in Miami? Take a look
Real Estate News How are we dealing with housing issues in Miami? Take a look This collection of stories highlights various ways communities and people in South Florida are addressing housing challenges. In one story, Miamians confront rent burdens, with many residents spending a significant portion of their income on housing, exacerbated by high inflation rates. Another story features a Miami developer's innovative approach, transforming luxury living by launching Crescent Seas, a condo cruise line offering high seas residences. Elsewhere, a Bay Harbor condo board demonstrates foresight, successfully navigating Florida's new regulatory environment while keeping costs manageable. Meanwhile, polling reveals that a growing number of Americans, particularly non-homeowners, feel homeownership remains out of reach economically. Read the stories below. Stephania Germain, 24, who is on a Section 8 housing voucher, poses inside her apartment that she lives in with her daughter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Miami. Germain was raised in foster care and is doing the best she can for herself and her baby. She says that even with the voucher, with recent increases it makes paying rent tough. 'It just keeps going up and I don't get a break to save, and I need new baby clothes, ya know they grow out of them so fast,' said Germain. By Alie Skowronski NO. 1: MIAMIANS ARE THE MOST RENT-BURDENED PEOPLE IN AMERICA — AND THEY'RE STRESSED ABOUT IT New Census Bureau data shows that Miamians spend a larger chunk of their incomes on housing than residents in all other major American cities. | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Max Klaver Manager Heri Kletzenbuer, left, and board president Andre Williams stand outside the Golden Key Condominiums in Bay Harbor Islands. The managers of the modest 1960s condo have maintained affordability for owners while extensively refurbishing the building and successfully navigating recertification and stringent new post-Surfside state regulations. By Pedro Portal NO. 2: HOW A SMALL BAY HARBOR CONDO MET FLORIDA'S TOUGH RULES. AND KEPT COSTS DOWN DOING IT 'We wanted to get ahead of the curve , but we didn't want to financially cripple anyone.' | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci Rendering of Navigator when it's ready at end of 2026 NO. 3: CONDOS ON A CRUISE SHIP? WHY A MIAMI DEVELOPER IS PLANNING LUXURY HOMES AT SEA Take a look at what's being planned. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha Jane Woolridge More than two-thirds of non-homeowners, 68%, are priced out of the housing market, according to a new Gallup poll. And a record-high 45% say they likely won't buy a home in the foreseeable future. NO. 4: WILL YOU BUY A HOME? RECORD SHARE OF NON-OWNERS SAY NOT FOR A WHILE, POLL FINDS And a record-low share said they plan on buying in the next five to 10 years. | Published May 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brendan Rascius 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.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
How housing challenges and condo pressures affect Miami's real estate world
Real Estate News How housing challenges and condo pressures affect Miami's real estate world Miami faces a housing crisis shaped by rent burdens, condo regulation and rising redevelopment pressures. Redfin data show Miami rents are falling, but the city remains one of the nation's least affordable places for renters, with the required income to rent far above what most people earn. Condo owners struggle with steeply rising association fees and repairs, worsened by state-mandated reserves after the Surfside collapse and nearly half of Florida's Fannie Mae-ineligible condos located in Miami. The secretive Fannie Mae condo blacklist now covers hundreds of Miami buildings, blocking access to mortgages and repair funding. As financial stress grows, developer buyouts and condo terminations are more appealing, especially for aging buildings and those facing escalating costs or safety violations. Stephania Germain, 24, who is on a Section 8 housing voucher, poses inside her apartment that she lives in with her daughter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Miami. Germain was raised in foster care and is doing the best she can for herself and her baby. She says that even with the voucher, with recent increases it makes paying rent tough. 'It just keeps going up and I don't get a break to save, and I need new baby clothes, ya know they grow out of them so fast,' said Germain. By Alie Skowronski NO. 1: MIAMIANS ARE THE MOST RENT-BURDENED PEOPLE IN AMERICA — AND THEY'RE STRESSED ABOUT IT New Census Bureau data shows that Miamians spend a larger chunk of their incomes on housing than residents in all other major American cities. | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Max Klaver An exterior shot from Collins Avenue of people walking past the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in Bal Harbour, Florida, Tuesday, November 21, 2020. By Daniel A. Varela NO. 2: MIAMI CONDO OWNERS IN LUXURY TOWERS ON THE BEACH SUE COMPANIES OVER SAFETY CONCERNS What to know about the case at the Bal Harbour complex near Surfside. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha View of the DOWNTOWN MIAMI skyline from Watson Island, on Wednesday July 31, 2024. By Pedro Portal NO. 3: COULD YOUR CONDO BE A TAKEOVER TARGET? KNOW THE SIGNS THAT COULD ATTRACT A DEVELOPER Unit owners in older buildings are facing new expenses. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives A view of a resurgent Northeast Second Avenue in the heart of Miami's Overtown neighborhood in April 2021, with the Plaza at the Lyric apartments at left and a Red Rooster restaurant in the background at right. By Pedro Portal NO. 4: RENTERS ARE PAYING LESS FOR APARTMENTS IN MIAMI, BUT THERE ARE ISSUES. SEE THE COSTS Here's a look at housing costs and ways to navigate the crisis. | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen Condos line the Intracoastal Waterway in Sunny Isles Beach. By MATIAS J. OCNER NO. 5: 'PERFECT STORM.' HUNDREDS OF SOUTH FLORIDA CONDOS NOW ON SECRET MORTGAGE BLACKLIST The number of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach condos on the list has more than doubled in just two years. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci 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.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Why are we miserable in Miami? We pay high rent and our homes can be hot
Real Estate News Why are we miserable in Miami? We pay high rent and our homes can be hot Miami residents struggle as rising rents make it the most cost-burdened metro area in the U.S., with many people spending half their income on housing. New laws and strict mortgage requirements, like Fannie Mae's growing condo blacklist, have made it harder to buy, sell, or repair homes, leaving both renters and owners with few good options. Extreme heat only adds to the hardship, with some families unable to afford to run or fix their air conditioning even as temperatures inside their homes exceed those outdoors. Families often cut food, medicine, or car repairs just to cover rent or rising energy bills. Take a look at what can make housing a challenge in South Florida. Stephania Germain, 24, who is on a Section 8 housing voucher, poses inside her apartment that she lives in with her daughter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Miami. Germain was raised in foster care and is doing the best she can for herself and her baby. She says that even with the voucher, with recent increases it makes paying rent tough. 'It just keeps going up and I don't get a break to save, and I need new baby clothes, ya know they grow out of them so fast,' said Germain. By Alie Skowronski NO. 1: MIAMIANS ARE THE MOST RENT-BURDENED PEOPLE IN AMERICA — AND THEY'RE STRESSED ABOUT IT New Census Bureau data shows that Miamians spend a larger chunk of their incomes on housing than residents in all other major American cities. | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Max Klaver Recently installed air-conditioning units at 2840-2842 NW 10th Avenue in Miami, Florida. Federal housing doesn't require air-conditioning, but Miami-Dade County is funding new A/C units for hundreds of public housing apartments. By Jose A. Iglesias NO. 2: ON SWELTERING MIAMI SUMMER DAYS, IT CAN BE HOTTER INSIDE HOMES THAN OUT, STUDY FINDS 'Everyone in Miami has AC. The question is does it work and can you afford to use it?' | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris Condos line the Intracoastal Waterway in Sunny Isles Beach. By MATIAS J. OCNER NO. 3: 'PERFECT STORM.' HUNDREDS OF SOUTH FLORIDA CONDOS NOW ON SECRET MORTGAGE BLACKLIST The number of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach condos on the list has more than doubled in just two years. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci 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.
Miami Herald
30-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Why is housing so costly? What to know about rentals and condos in South Florida
Real Estate News Why is housing so costly? What to know about rentals and condos in South Florida South Florida renters and condo owners continue to face high costs and new challenges. Miami remains one of the most rent-burdened cities, with many residents spending over 30% of their income on housing and median rents near $2,373. New state laws now require condo associations to keep more reserve funds for repairs, especially after the Surfside condo collapse, causing association fees to climb—some reaching $900 monthly in Miami-Dade. While some affordable housing projects like Sawyer's Walk and new plans by Jackson Memorial Hospital are underway, demand still far outpaces supply. Community groups push for more protections and assistance, as both renters and owners wrestle with rising costs, stricter safety rules, and limited affordable options. Stephania Germain, 24, who is on a Section 8 housing voucher, poses inside her apartment that she lives in with her daughter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Miami. Germain was raised in foster care and is doing the best she can for herself and her baby. She says that even with the voucher, with recent increases it makes paying rent tough. 'It just keeps going up and I don't get a break to save, and I need new baby clothes, ya know they grow out of them so fast,' said Germain. By Alie Skowronski NO. 1: MIAMIANS ARE THE MOST RENT-BURDENED PEOPLE IN AMERICA — AND THEY'RE STRESSED ABOUT IT New Census Bureau data shows that Miamians spend a larger chunk of their incomes on housing than residents in all other major American cities. | Published October 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Max Klaver Home buyers should review fees for homeowners and condominium association fees to see if the amenities are worth it, including pool, gym, clubhouse. NO. 2: 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 rendering shows plans for The Delmore, an ultra-luxury condo building with units starting at $15 million, at the site of the 2021 condo collapse at 8777 Collins Ave. in Surfside. NO. 3: 'MANSIONS' PLANNED AT SURFSIDE COLLAPSE SITE. DO DEVELOPERS 'HOPE PEOPLE FORGET' TRAGEDY? 'They can pull out all their bells and whistles ... It doesn't change the fact that their entire site is a graveyard,' said a former town commissioner. | Published January 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Leibowitz A view of a resurgent Northeast Second Avenue in the heart of Miami's Overtown neighborhood in April 2021, with the Plaza at the Lyric apartments at left and a Red Rooster restaurant in the background at right. By Pedro Portal NO. 4: RENTERS ARE PAYING LESS FOR APARTMENTS IN MIAMI, BUT THERE ARE ISSUES. SEE THE COSTS Here's a look at housing costs and ways to navigate the crisis. | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen 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. 5: '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.
