T
he Related Group, led by the Pérez family, is proposing a 398-unit Live Local Act project to replace the Claude Pepper age-restricted public housing building in Miami's Health District. The new development, also called Claude Pepper, will be a 14-story building with all units at below-market rate rents on Northwest 18th Terrace. Designed by CFE Architects, it will include a community center and parking spaces.

    The project is the first known Related Group endeavor under the Live Local Act, which incentivizes developers to build affordable housing in exchange for zoning bonuses and tax breaks. At least 40% of the units must be reserved for households earning up to 120% of the area median income, with rent restrictions lasting at least 30 years.

    The site is a 3-acre county-owned property near several bus stops, currently home to the 12-story Claude Pepper building completed in 1970. Related Urban Development Group has redeveloped other public housing buildings into new affordable projects before. The company filed an application for a pre-application meeting with Miami-Dade County, seeking feedback on the project.

    Under the Live Local Act, developers can receive up to a 100% property tax exemption if all units are at below-market rents. Related Group has also proposed another project in West Little River and other companies, such as Helm Equities and Condra Property Group, are exploring similar developments under the same legislation.