Miami-Dade County is set to open Alto Tower, a new affordable housing development aimed at helping people who have experienced homelessness. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place next Wednesday at 2267 NW 36 Street, near Miami International Airport. Miami-Dade County officials describe the project as part of a broader strategy to ensure that prior experiences of homelessness don't dictate future possibilities, according to the county's website.
A total of 84 units within Alto Tower are meticulously laid out, featuring 10 one-bedroom studios, 51 one-bedroom apartments, and a 20 two-bedroom apartment scheme, specifically designed and reserved for those meeting income qualifications or holding Section 8 and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers. With the inclusion of amenities such as a fitness room and business center, the development prioritizes a holistic living environment, addressing not just the spatial needs of its residents but also their emotional and physical well-being with the inclusion of two case management offices, as per the Miami-Dade County news release.
Developed by Blue Sky Communities, the Alto Tower financial backbone was buttressed by $2,050,000 in funding courtesy of the county’s Housing and Community Development Department, allocated through the HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) program. In the Fiscal Year 2021, the Request for Applications (RFA) process flagged this development for funds from the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Documentary Stamp Surtax (Surtax) Program, and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, accelerating its completion and impact capacity.
Miami-Dade County will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Alto Tower at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4. Expected guests include Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Housing Director Nathan Kogon, and Homeless Trust Director Victoria Mallette. They will be joined by Shawn Wilson of Blue Sky Communities and Scott Eller of CASL to celebrate the opening of this new housing development, which will provide a fresh start for people who have experienced homelessness.
