The Future of Land

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The poorest neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County have historically been forced to delay repairing their infrastructure due to lack of funding. Even more improvements as seas rise can be costly and raises questions of whether these communities will require outside intervention.

Estimates show that repairs to basic infrastructure that pumps fresh water into people's homes can cost up to $100 million.

Some initiatives have already started:

  • In 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, created a $1.6 billion plan to update sewage and storm water infrastructure in Miami-Dade County by 2028.
  • In 2014, the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution in 2014 stating that future plans will consider sea level rise and storm surges. The plan allotted some money in 2016’s fiscal year budget.  

Yet, some experts say that even if infrastructure in Miami-Dade County's most economically challenged areas gets attention, insurance rates for those homes will continue to rise, due to changing environmental impacts on homes and property.