By Dustin Tyler Joyce
May 5, 2008

The United States Conference of Mayors, its Council for the New American City, and the National Association of Realtors have named Miami-Dade County an “Ambassador City” for its Housing Central Web portal.

Miami-Dade County developed Housing Central to help residents find homes and rental properties that best meet their needs. The site, http://miamidade.gov/wps/portal/housing, provides a locator tool that helps individuals search rental properties or homes for sale according to location, price or property features.

“The Housing Central website has been an incredible tool for our community. It’s a one'stop shop for residents in need of housing assistance, as well as those seeking to learn more about community development programs and business opportunities in the housing sector,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez. “It’s hard to believe that a web site can open so many doors, but it’s true.”

Section 8 properties as well as income-based and special-needs housing are listed on the site. Landlords or individuals selling homes under $400,000 can also post their homes for free. Currently, more than 2,600 properties are listed on the site.

In addition to property listings, Housing Central also has information about Miami-Dade County’s housing programs, online applications for financial aid and lists of services available to help potential homebuyers finance and purchase a home.

National Association of Realtors President Dick Gaylord was joined by Dave Gatton, director of the Council for the New American City, in presenting a plaque and $5,000 to Alvarez and Kim Kirschner, chairman of the local Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches (RAMB). RAMB is working closely with Miami-Dade County to link Housing Central to the Realtor association’s multilingual site, providing hundreds of additional property listings.

“Initiatives like Housing Central have helped hundreds of families quickly and easily find and access affordable homes and rentals,” lauded Gaylord. “We are in an ever-changing real-estate market, and this Web portal is helping address the needs of both current Miami-Dade residents and those looking to relocate to the area.”

The Conference of Mayors, through the Council for the New American City and the National Association of Realtors, launched the Ambassadors for Cities program in 2003 to bring together local realtor boards with city halls to promote affordable housing and homeownership in America’s cities. More information about the Ambassadors for Cities program can be found online at www.usmayors.org/ambassadors.