Urban League cuts ribbon on homes

Former housing eyesore gets needed makeover

Several Liberty City community leaders, residents and community developers gathered at 1521 NW 61st Street on Monday, Sept. 10 to witness the ribbon cutting and unveiling of M&M Maison I Townhomes. The new affordable housing is the result of a team effort between the Urban League of Greater Miami and the New Urban Development, LLC.
The rental complex has 30 units with prices ranging from $578-$686 that are comprised of 24 two-bedroom, 1 1/2 bathrooms and six one-bedroom, one-bath configurations. Officials say the complex is mostly full but a few vacancies do remain. Section 8 tenants are accepted.
“This is just the beginning of all the things we’re going to be doing in this community, said Urban League president and CEO, T. Willard Fair. “We’re going to transform it. We’re not leaving it. We’re going to take it back.”
Fair spoke of collective efforts to help remove drug selling in the surrounding areas and setting higher standards for residents.
“This isn’t just housing; this is housing where we go about the business of transforming the people who live here,” he said.
Fair said there will be an after-school program for the children with additional plans in the future aimed at helping adults get back on their feet.
“I am excited about opening a new page in the lives of more than 70 people,” he said.

By Malika A. Wright
mwright@miamitimesonline.com