Building for All: Candidate Pledges Affordable Homes, Tenant Protections, and Equity Across Miami Neighborhoods

Xavier L. Suarez, who served as Mayor of the City of Miami from 1985 to 1993, is running for Mayor again. (Photo Courtesy of Suarez)

Name: Xavier L. Suarez
Campaign Website: www.xavierlsuarezformayor.miami
Contact Email: xaviersuarezesq@aol.com

Background: Suarez is a longtime public servant, attorney, and scholar dedicated to housing, equity, and community development. He currently serves as a Visiting Scholar in Law, Environment, and Economics Faculty Member at Florida International University and practices with Greenspoon Marder LLP, focusing on environmental, health care, and corporate law.

A former Mayor of Miami (1985–1993) and Miami-Dade County Commissioner (2011–2020), he said he led major housing and redevelopment initiatives that transformed neighborhoods across the county.

He holds law and public policy degrees from Harvard University and an engineering degree from Villanova University, Summa Cum Laude. An accomplished author and commentator, he continues to champion policies that promote opportunity and fairness for all Miami residents, he said.

Affordable Housing & Development: What is your definition of “affordable housing” for Miami residents?

Typically, it's 80% to 120% of area median income, but a bigger need now is for very low-income housing.

How many affordable housing units do you commit to building or preserving in your first term, and what is your timeline?

I managed to activate the city's dormant housing department in 1985 and build 1,500 units using bonds approved 10 years before; then kick-started SE Overtown Community Redevelopment Agency, which now is building/rehabbing 4,000 units in Overtown; and put together transit oriented zoning developments in my county district with about 200 units of workforce housing on US1, Gibson Plaza with 110 units on Grand Avenue, all as county commissioner. So, by that rate, probably 1,000 units per year.

Renters, Evictions & Tenant Protections: What policies will you support to prevent unjust evictions and protect renters

I recently helped a tenant from being evicted by providing a template of an answer from Legal Services. I served on the board of Legal Services Corporation, appointed by the president and believe that renters are not aware of its services.

Homeownership & Equity: What policies will you propose to support first-time or low-income homebuyers in Miami?

The most important single reform is to increase the homestead exemption to $500,000 from $25,000 set in 1979.

How will you ensure housing programs are accessible to immigrant, Haitian Creole like and Spanish-speaking communities?

The two new projects announced are precisely for that area; each has 4,000 units. I also presided over the award of $300M for Liberty Square redevelopment, as chair of the county's economic prosperity committee. I work closely with minority contractors, such as Leighton Brown (LDC) to make sure I know and fulfill the needs in those areas.

Public Land & Climate Resilience: Do you support using city-owned land for affordable housing? If yes, how would you prioritize parcels?

Yes, we did that beginning in 1985 in Miami.

Budget, Accountability & Governance: How will you fund affordable housing initiatives? If resources are limited, what would you deprioritize?

Consultants, management salaries and unneeded facilities and projects, such as seawalls, when living shorelines are preferable.

What metrics will you use to measure progress, and will you commit to publishing annual accountability reports?

I will eliminate complicated, excel reports, such as currently exist for Miami Forever Bonds, which are impossible to read.

Vision & Leadership: Why are you running for mayor, and what legacy do you want to leave in housing?

I want to continue and expand greatly my record as the affordable housing mayor/commissioner —who joined former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan in trying to earmark $50M of general county revenues to affordable housing.

What one major housing policy or project would you be most proud to accomplish by the end of your first term?

All of the above, plus completing Marine Stadium and Virginia Key Historic Black Beach.