Future Housing Coming To The City of Pahokee

The City of Pahokee announced over $30 Million in  plans for two private developers to build affordable rental housing in very near future in Pahokee. At the February 23rd Commission Meeting the City received the formal presentation and drawings for 60 Apartments to be built at the former old hospital site at 200 Barfield Highway. The developer is partly funded by the USDA and plans to purchase the 5.9 acres from the City by early April. The City demolished the old hospital recently in November of 2020 to make way for housing.

The proposal  was provided by Oikos Development Group , a developer dedicated to combating communities that are challenged with the lack of modern housing and rental property. The second site is fully privately funded by a local developer in South Florida. On February 25th, the City’s Zoning and Planning Board approved the application for rezoning the areas located at Amarryllis and South Lake Ave behind the PB Fire Station.. The 8 acres of land has been vacant for decades and is the former site of the Everglades High School once the only school for minorities  in the area.

Both affordable housing sites were identified several years ago by the City Manager (Chandler Williamson) through the city’s “Progress Pahokee” plan, to support the city’s future growth as a place for residents of all economic levels and to bolster the possibility of leveraging job development for the City. Mr. Williamson stated “ housing has always been a priority, but the City had to resolve critical infrastructure problems such as streets and roads, but feels now is the time perfect time to partner with private partners, state, and federal developers to provide much needed affordable rental and home ownership opportunities.

The development at 200 Barfield Highway pre-named Everglades Memorial Gardens will contain approximately 60 units of affordable and workforce housing for industries in the Glades. The housing community  will boast a on-site  community center , as well as about 7,000 square feet of  space for a  daycare center and greenspace. The  will include affordable housing for today’s moderate-income professional in the agricultural industry, general profession fields,  and  low-income seniors  in the Community.

The development at Amaryllis and Rardin will include approximately 140 affordable apartments, with an modern arts theme and possibly be a gated rental community.  

"With a long and extended track record for  housing development both  of these developers provide answers to the critical shortage of affordable housing options in our city, especially for our workforce population," said Mayor Keith Babbs Jr., in a statement. "We’re thrilled to be joining forces and visions with these developers.  Our current vision is to secure a developer to offer Single Family Homes for ownership which is also of great need in our City.