Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has announced plans to expand her administration’s real estate policies, despite facing a recall petition led by political opponents. In her recent state-of-the-county address, Levine Cava detailed initiatives designed to streamline permitting, boost the development of affordable and workforce housing, and offer financial support to condominium owners struggling with large special assessments.
The recall effort is being spearheaded by Alex Otaola, a Cuban American social media influencer who previously ran against Levine Cava in the August 2024 election and finished third. The county’s Republican Party is backing the petition through various channels including social media campaigns, paid advertisements, and a dedicated website. To proceed to an election, at least 4 percent of Miami-Dade’s 1.6 million registered voters must sign the petition.
Levine Cava is expected to receive continued financial support from South Florida’s real estate sector as she works to counter the recall movement. During her 2024 campaign, about one-quarter of the $4.6 million raised by her political action committee came from 17 real estate developers and commercial property investors, according to finance reports reviewed by The Real Deal. Notably, billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin contributed $500,000—the largest single donation—after county officials approved plans for Citadel’s new high-rise headquarters in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood.
Recent campaign finance records show that Levine Cava’s PAC collected $110,000 between October and December 2025; half of this amount was donated by real estate developers.
Since taking office in 2020, Levine Cava stated that Miami-Dade County has added 9,000 affordable and workforce housing units. She aims for another 12,000 units before leaving office in 2028. Her administration has made agreements with developers for mixed-income projects on county-owned land—including redevelopment of aging public housing sites—with Gallery at River Parc and Brisas del Rio cited as examples.
“What was once outdated public housing is now a walkable, mixed income community with more homes, shops, green spaces and support services,” Levine Cava said during her speech. “But there’s still more work to do. I directed our housing team to identify vacant county land that can be transformed into housing.”
Other initiatives include permitting kiosks across the county aimed at helping small businesses navigate regulatory challenges more efficiently. Levine Cava described how one local business owner used these kiosks to complete all permits within just over two weeks: “Harrison ran into familiar problems,” she said regarding Harrison Bloom of Miami Beach. “His plans were stalled by red tape… Through our new Strive 305 permitting kiosks, Harrison was able to complete all his permits in just 16 days.”
Additionally, nearly 2,000 households have received interest-free loans totaling $53 million through a program assisting condo owners unable to pay special assessments.
