South Florida Community Land Trust Breaks Ground on First Community Land Trust Homeownership Development in Miami-Dade County
South Florida Community Land Trust (SFCLT), a nonprofit developer dedicated to creating quality, sustainable homes that remain permanently affordable, celebrated the groundbreaking of Place Louverture, a 13-home, permanently affordable homeownership development in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood.
The milestone marks the first community land trust (CLT) homeownership development in Miami-Dade County and Florida's first CLT condominium, introducing a model designed to expand homeownership opportunities while preserving affordability for generations to come.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, City of Miami Commissioner Christine King, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien, SFCLT President and CEO Mandy Bartle, SFCLT Board Chair Eric L. Haynes, and representatives from the project's funding, development and community partners to celebrate the milestone and recognize the years of collaboration that made the development possible.
"Place Louverture represents so much more than 13 new homes. It's about creating opportunities for families to put down roots, build equity and remain part of the community they call home," said Mandy Bartle, president and CEO of South Florida Community Land Trust. "As housing costs continue to rise, we need solutions that make homeownership attainable today and preserve that affordability for future generations. This groundbreaking is an important milestone for Little Haiti and a testament to what we can accomplish when community organizations, public agencies and private partners work together.”
Located at 6601 NE Miami Place, Place Louverture will feature 13 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats and townhomes designed for households earning between 60% and 120% of area median income. The development incorporates Haitian-inspired architectural features with Miami Modern design, resilient concrete masonry construction, impact windows and doors, and energy-efficient features designed in accordance with National Green Building Standards.
Through SFCLT's community land trust model, homeowners purchase their residences while SFCLT retains ownership of the underlying land through a renewable 99-year ground lease. This structure helps lower the cost of homeownership and ensures the homes remain affordable for future generations while allowing homeowners to build equity.
SFCLT acquired the property from Haitian American Community Development Corporation (HACDC) in 2018. Since then, the organizations have collaborated on community engagement efforts, including neighborhood charrettes, with HACDC also leading homebuyer education classes to help prepare prospective residents for homeownership.
Place Louverture is made possible through support from Citibank, the City of Miami, Florida Community Loan Fund, JPMorganChase, Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, Miami-Dade County, Miami Homes for All and Solar and Energy Loan Fund. Edge Construction serves as the project's general contractor.
The development represents a significant step toward expanding access to homeownership in Little Haiti, where rising housing costs have increased concerns about displacement. By preserving affordability beyond the initial sale, Place Louverture is designed to provide lasting housing opportunities for current and future generations.