Voters in Florida House Districts 113 and 118, which include parts of Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay, will choose candidates on Tuesday, Aug. 18, who hold sharply different views on the Live Local Act — the state law already shaping how workforce housing gets built along U.S. 1.
The Live Local Act, passed in 2023, lets developers bypass local zoning limits on density and height if at least 40% of a project's units are designated as workforce housing rentals affordable to people earning up to 120% of the area median income. In Miami-Dade, that threshold is roughly $104,000 a year for a single person.
Where candidates stand
In the HD-113 Republican primary, the three candidates want the law weakened or scrapped. Tony Diaz called it the "Live Local Scam" and told the Miami Herald Editorial Board he wants to "repeal it, or I want to amend it to the point that it becomes useless." Bruno Barreiro said the law had good intentions but was a "knee-jerk reaction" that needs substantial reworking, particularly in areas where infrastructure can't handle density increases. Frank Lago said the law is producing rentals that lease at market rates, not truly affordable prices, and wants incentives targeting people making 60% to 80% of AMI — up to about $75,000 a year.
On the Democratic side, Justin Mendoza Routt wants to lower the income threshold from 120% to 100% of AMI and calculate it by ZIP code rather than countywide. Gloria Romero Roses is also running in the HD-113 Democratic primary.
In HD-118, Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Redondo sponsored the law's latest expansion, which extended eligibility to government-owned, school district and religious institution land. He told the Herald board the need for housing is "acute" and that the solution requires greater supply.
A workforce housing project already approved
The law's local footprint is real. On Wednesday, June 17, the Cutler Bay Town Council unanimously approved restrictive covenants for The Contemporary + MedSquare, a 322-unit mixed-use development on 18.5 acres along Southwest 216th Street in Lakes by the Bay. Of those units, 167 — about 52% — will carry rental restrictions, including 147 Essential Worker/Hero Housing units and 20 military housing units. The project also includes 25,000 square feet of medical office space, 15,500 square feet of retail, two restaurant spaces and a 3.4-acre linear park.
"This project is an example of how responsible planning and strong negotiations can result in a better outcome for our residents," Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott said.
Broader development pressure
Other major projects not tied to the Live Local Act are also reshaping the corridor. American Landmark Apartments and BH Group broke ground Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, on The Current at City Center, a 350-unit apartment building at 20505 South Dixie Highway. It is the first phase of a $1.5 billion, seven-year redevelopment of the former Southland Mall into Southplace City Center, which envisions 5,000 market-rate units, 500,000 square feet of retail and 2,000 permanent jobs.
Cutler Bay directs developers interested in Live Local Act projects to apply for Administrative Site Plan Review through the town's Community Development Department, led by Director Jared Munster.
Early voting and vote-by-mail for the Tuesday, Aug. 18, primary are available through the Miami-Dade County Elections Department.
