Carlisle Affordable Housing Moves Dirt

MIAMI–Carlisle Development Group and the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale (HACFL) have broken ground on Northwest Gardens, Phases II and IV. Northwest Gardens is a $58 million that will cap off a master plan to redevelop and revitalize the Northwest Neighborhood.

The Northwest Neighborhood is ranked as one of the most distressed areas in the nation. The area has the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the region, the highest juvenile crime rates in the state, and some of the highest HIV/AIDS infections amongst teenagers in the country.

“Northwest Gardens has been a catalytic force in revitalizing the neighborhood, replacing outdated public housing with hundreds of new affordable homes,” says Matthew Greer, CEO of Carlisle. “When complete, it will have  transformed more than 14 city blocks, while creating hundreds of local jobs. More importantly, the development has been successful because of the strong network of local partnerships that are helping plant the seeds for sustainable change.”

Located on 14.42 acres, bounded by Northwest 8th Street on the north, Northwest 10th Avenue on the east, Northwest 5th Street on the south and Northwest 15th Avenue on the west, the two developments will have 13 one-, two- and three-story residential buildings and 266 affordable apartments. The multifamily units rang from one to five bedrooms and 650 to 1,500 square feet. Ten percent of the apartments in Phases II and IV will be designated for residents at 25 percent or less than the Area Median Income (AMI) of $62,600. Ninety percent of the dwellings will be designated for residents at 60 percent or less of AMI.

“Guiding the four phase development was a progressive goal of creating a sustainable neighborhood that promoted urban self-sufficiency,” says Tam English, executive director and CEO of HACFL. “This new community has been designed as a transit village featuring more than 550 LEED-certified homes and a powerful network of social programs that promote food, education, occupation, physical wellness, and emotional wellness.”