4 min read January 2024 — Invest: was joined by Faith Phinn, deputy executive director of the Hallandale Beach CRA, to discuss how affordable housing and a niche mentality sets Hallandale Beach apart in the South Florida region. “Community engagement and spreading the word on the ground is key to our work,” she said.
What have been your key highlights from the past year?
The Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency has led the development of Broward County’s first shipping container restaurant, KAO Sushi Bar & Grill. We have also renamed the Fashion Art and Design District to District 8, denoting Hallandale Beach as the eighth incorporated city in the county. The eight also represent the infinite possibilities of the area. We have also invested over $5 million toward District 8 for redevelopment into what we call a hub of entertainment, food, culture, and art. A craft brewery, several unique restaurants, and retail shops are also coming on board. We’ve partnered with Freebee, a free ride service to promote transit to local businesses in the CRA, assist our non-driving seniors, and mitigate traffic congestion.
What are some of the exciting development efforts happening in Hallandale?
Housing affordability is a crisis in South Florida, and the HBCRA focuses on investing substantially in housing for working-class families. We recently completed Hallandale Commons, which includes 10 townhomes and a subsidy to make them affordable. Our City Center project marks a new spur of development and is moving expeditiously, with 12 of 89 units dedicated to affordable housing. The City Center includes 8,000 square feet of commercial space plus over 200 parking spaces in the northwest quadrant, serving as the neighborhood’s entry point. There is also the Solaris Apartments Homes that the HBCRA invested $2 million into for a percentage towards workforce/affordable housing.
How are community partnerships a vital aspect to the CRA’s work in Hallandale?
The HBCRA wants our residents to thrive where they live. We work with developers and forge strong partnerships through commercial incentives to make every effort to hire locally. We also partner with agencies like SCORE to provide training and resources for budding and established entrepreneurs. A vital partnership is our relationship with community members. Community engagement is critical to our work and aligns our initiatives with the needs and aspirations of the people we serve. By actively involving the community by seeking their input and valuing their perspectives, we build trust and enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of our efforts.
What is the key challenge facing Hallandale Beach right now?
Affordable housing remains a significant challenge in South Florida. The HBCRA increased its subsidy from $80,000 to $100,000 for our First Time Homebuyer Program. Understanding that homeownership may differ for some residents, we have also created a rent stabilization program to mitigate rising costs. While prioritizing our vibrant seniors in this program, if rent increases by 20% or more, we offer $6,000 toward it. We are actively working to augment subsidies, proactively acquire available lots, and launch initiatives to expand the availability of affordable rental properties.
What makes Hallandale Beach unique?
Hallandale Beach is Broward County’s lead in innovation, workforce housing, luxury lifestyle, public safety, and civic pride. We are the gateway to the essentials of South Florida for a better living and progressive standard of life. We are 4.5 square miles of opportunity.
What is your outlook over the next three years?
Technically, our CRA sunsets in 2027 so for us it is about making sure we can make the most impact with the funding we have. We will focus on a $20 million loan to complete our infrastructure projects and affordable housing, along with commercial projects and mixed use. We want to maximize and make sure these projects come to fruition. Hallandale is a niche city, but we are on the move and have a lot of exciting things on the horizon.
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