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Barriers Faced by "Infill" Developers
building affordable single family homes in Miami-Dade County

• High cost of purchasing vacant lots


• The permitting process is slow and tedious. Six departments need to approve each application. Even if you've qualified for the "cookie cutter" program each plan still has to go through individually.


• There is currently no assurance from the County that a particular developer's buyers will be able to obtain affordable subsidized purchase loans. As a result, these developers find it very difficult to get construction financing.


• Quiet title lawsuits are needed on virtually every parcel that has a tax deed in the chain of title (which include many vacant lots located in distressed neighborhoods). These court proceedings take several months to complete. Lenders will not close on the financing until all of the title issues have been resolved.


• Zoning variances are often needed because acquired vacant parcels in older neighborhoods frequently are not of insufficient size under current standards. Variances are at times denied by Community Councils for no legitimate reason.


• Slowness in having County subsidized purchase loans closed (sometimes causing a delay of 3 to 4 months after the C/O has been issued).


• Delays in getting water & sewer connections.


• Developers have found it difficult to get a refund of impact fees for their affordable housing projects despite a provision in the County Code requiring such refunds.


• Some vacant parcels requires a waiver of plat and a dedication of right of way


• Permit applications are backlogged in the zoning and building department. .


• Construction loans from a bank are expensive and are time consuming to obtain.