Disgraced Miami official behind new affordable housing in Allapattah

Six new townhouse-style apartments for low-income residents were unveiled by entrepreneur Ortelio Marcelo in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood on Tuesday. However, as the Miami Herald revealed today, the development was made possible by none other than Barbara Gomez, the fallen former head of the city’s Community & Economic Development Department.

Gomez, in her previous role, had denied Marcelo’s request for public financing. But after corruption charges brought against her resulted in her termination in 2007, she started her own consulting business to help real estate owners like Marcelo navigate the system.

For the new Parkview Apartments II, revealed Tuesday, which cost $800,000 to build, Gomez helped Marcelo obtain $563,212 from the city, the Herald said.

Two of the apartments will be rented for $705 a month, and the remaining four for $921 to low-income families that earn 80 percent or less of the county’s median household income, or a maximum of $52,300 a year for a family of four.

City officials welcomed the much-needed addition of affordable housing in the County. Under the terms of the city grants, Marcelo must maintain the rent at the low-income level established by HUD for 30 years. [Miami Herald] –- Sanna Chu