The City of Miami Beach acquired the Lottie Apartments from Miami Beach Community Development Corporation (MBCDC) in 2015. The Lottie Apartments were purchased by MBCDC using Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP-1) funds awarded to the City.
Upon acquisition, the City conducted a Capital Needs Assessment and determined that the Lottie Apartments required significant rehabilitation in order to meet HUD property standards ensuring that the property would provide clean, safe and sanitary housing for its tenants. The Mayor and Commission awarded the Lottie Apartments rehabilitation project to Azulejo, Inc., a qualified Section 3-certified general contractor earlier this year.
The first phase of the Lottie Apartment's rehabilitation will include the replacement of the existing HVAC units and rooftop air compressors in the building. These units, while out of warranty coverage and declared as surplus, are functional albeit have a variety of issues that impede their effective use in our property including improper installation, defective designs for the existing unit space, and inefficient energy consumption.
Because the units were acquired with Federal funds with the intent for use in affordable housing, the Administration is recommending that the HVAC units and rooftop compressors be donated to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that develops housing for low-income and special needs households in Miami-Dade County. Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, has built 1,138 houses in Miami-Dade County. Since 1989, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami has been working within the community to build decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need, volunteers and donors. The organization breaks down economic and social barriers by bringing people of different races, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds to work together for a common goal. Through its work, Habitat for Humanity Miami has helped more than 450 families to own a safe and affordable home.