Housing Development

In the 1990’s NHSSF acquired land for single-family housing construction prior to the current staff coming on board. Significant progress has been made in developing workable partnerships to move forward.

NHSSF Housing Development current and completed projects:

CURRENT
DuPuis Pointe subdivision
Dupuis Pointe, a 27 single-family home sub-division on 4.2 acres at Northwest 31st Avenue and 63rd Street. This project will include 4-bedroom/2-bathroom and 3-bedroom/2-bathroom model homes. The houses will be built using building materials that provide a high insulation value and a tight building envelope, which saves energy and reduces the homeowner’s utility costs. All the homes will be built using the latest techniques in hurricane preparation. By using impact resistant windows and alternative roofing strategies, the homes will be ready for category 4 hurricanes. Dupuis Pointe is situated just north of Brownsville, in one of greater Miami’s oldest neighborhoods. The neighborhood’s existing housing stock dates back to the 1940′s and doesn’t meet the needs of today’s families due to the small size and deteriorated condition. With affordable new construction, Dupuis is an opportunity for families to invest in themselves and their community.

A green component is being introduced into the Dupuis Pointe subdivision. These features include: solar water heaters, EE windows, low-flow fixtures and faucets, Energy Star appliances, drought-resistant landscaping, low VOC paints, formaldehyde-free cabinets, air conditioning ducts located within air-conditioned space. The extra cost of green components is estimated at 5-8%. Homeowners will enjoy the benefits of a house that is more durable, energy efficient, comfortable and healthier than a conventionally built one. Utility costs will be lowered by an estimated 30 to 35%. Reducing the amount of chemicals used in construction should have a long-term impact on the home’s air quality, creating a healthier living environment and reducing the likelihood of childhood ailments such as asthma.

These homes provide much more protection against hurricanes, and can lower the homeowner’s insurance premiums. The insulation and tight construction of these concrete homes result in a much quieter interior environment.

Villa Jardin 2 in Little Havana
This 6 unit building was originally intended to be a condo-conversion to be developed in partnership with Little Haiti Housing Association.  Site control has been secured although the site is not yet owned by NHSSF Housing Development, LLC.  Given the market and neighborhood challenges this will be developed as rental with NSP2 funds.

Rio Palma in Little Havana
Rio Palma is a three-story 18-unit building in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. It was originally built in 1925 and has undergone complete modernization. We have provided an energy-efficient product, with solar water heaters, added insulation, impact windows, Energy Star appliances, low-flow faucets, shower heads and fixtures, and all new electric, plumbing and high efficiency HVAC throughout the building. This 18-unit residential condo-conversation was purchased from another nonprofit housing developer and will now serve as rental housing.

• For maximum energy efficiency: all Energy Star appliances and light fixtures, solar water heaters, impact-resistant tinted windows (provide extra protection as well as a tighter seal for energy conservation and decreases the impact of the suns direct rays), extra wall insulation, sealed AC ducts, high efficiency HVAC.

• For water conservation: low flow faucets and shower heads and toilet fixtures, barrels to collect rainwater, low-maintenance landscaping

• For waste management: We are actively investigating recycling options in the Miami area. All construction debris was recycled. We will help new owners establish an efficient recycling system once they move in and consider education an important part of this goal.

• For healthy housing: we use low VOC paints and sealants, only tile no carpeting, improved ventilation to reduce humidity and prevent mold, healthy materials for cabinets, and we provide families with healthy/green cleaning products as a welcome gift and provide them with information on healthy living.

• Site development: low maintenance landscaping. We are exploring Green Homes certification by the Florida Green Building Coalition as well as Build Smart certification by Florida Power & Light, and Energy Star certification.

Click here to visit the Rio Palma website.

HISTORY

Construction was completed on the following:

• 2005 – Completed two NHSSF properties in the Goulds area of Miami-Dade County
• 2007 – Completed 2 homes in North Miami
• 2008 – Completed 2 homes in North Miami
• 2009 – Completed 2 homes in Miami Shores

All of these homes were sold to low-income residents who completed our Homebuyer Education class and participated in one-on-one counseling.