Fort Lauderdale: Residents push back on 76-unit affordable housing plan

Homeowners in South Middle River are contesting plans to construct a three-story, 76-unit affordable housing apartment building on an empty lot at Northeast 17th Court and Andrews Avenue. The project, developed by Covenant House, currently covers only the residential structure, yet local residents worry about the implications of the organization's recent acquisition of four nearby lots.

Sonia Cotto, who has lived in the area for 12 years, expressed concern that a social services facility may eventually open next to single-family homes. Cotto noted that the neighborhood lacks security gates and a homeowners association to manage access. "I've donated to them, and I support them, but not in this neighborhood," Cotto said. "It's a neighborhood with homes. There's no security. There's no HOA blocking. How are we going to protect our cars, our homes?"

City officials stated that current approvals do not extend to a social services facility. Mayor Dean Trantalis explained that any such development requires formal review by the planning and zoning board, followed by a decision from the city commission. "To make it a social service facility that has to go through the planning and zoning board," Trantalis said. "It has to go to the commission, and the commission would make the decision of whether or not to allow that."

Covenant House invited community members to a virtual question-and-answer session on Monday night. Approximately 100 participants joined the call, but representatives from the organization did not appear. Cotto said she was disappointed when the group pulled out at the last minute. "I was very disappointed that Covenant House was not there, that they backed out at the very last minute," Cotto said.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Covenant House did not address the missed meeting. The organization said the expansion aims to create pathways to stability and invest in the long-term success of the community.