A new chapter began for 288 families this week as the Ernie Martin Villas celebrated its grand reopening in Miami Gardens, marking the completion of a $47 million renovation that transforms affordable housing while honoring a local housing advocate's legacy.
The residential complex, formerly known as Villas Del Lago, has been renamed to honor Dr. Ernest "Ernie" Martin, a community activist whose work in the early 1980s helped establish critical housing programs across Miami-Dade County. Local leaders and residents gathered this week to celebrate the milestone that represents months of comprehensive rehabilitation designed to modernize the property while preserving affordable housing for seniors and working families.
Honoring a Housing Pioneer's Legacy
The naming choice reflects Martin's foundational impact on Miami-Dade's affordable housing landscape. According to Dr. Willie Logan, president and CEO of Ten North Group, the nonprofit organization that led the project, Martin served as executive director of Housing and Community Development during a pivotal period.
Back in the early 1980s, he was the executive director of Housing and Community Development. It is where the surtax program began, where the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program began, and where funding and support for community-based organizations began.
This recognition comes at a time when Miami-Dade County faces mounting pressure to preserve and expand affordable housing options amid rising costs and development pressures throughout the region.
Comprehensive Transformation Over 19 Months
Originally built in 2003, the property underwent a comprehensive 19-month rehabilitation as part of a nearly $100 million resyndication effort. The renovation included approximately $47 million in improvements across nine residential buildings, touching every aspect of resident life.
Nakia Bowling, vice president of Government Affairs, Development, and Family Services at Ten North Group, detailed the extensive scope of work. The one- to three-bedroom units received complete interior renovations, including new kitchens and bathrooms, updated flooring and lighting fixtures, and replacement of HVAC systems.
- Complete interior renovations for all 288 units
- New kitchens and bathrooms throughout
- Updated flooring and lighting fixtures
- Full HVAC system replacements
- Enhanced security features including gated entry
Residents Experience the Difference
For longtime residents like Patricia Moore, who has called the property home for six years, the changes represent more than cosmetic improvements. The transformation has enhanced both safety and community pride in ways that residents notice daily.
We have a gate now, we have security, and it's a beautiful neighborhood. You feel safe in this community. I really see the changes since I've been here.
The renovation extends beyond individual units to create community spaces that foster connection and recreation. New amenities include a resort-style swimming pool, fitness center, playground, picnic areas with grills, and a clubhouse designed to support family life and community engagement.
A mini-pitch soccer field donated by the U.S. Soccer Foundation was installed in 2023, providing recreational space for both residents and youth in the surrounding Miami Gardens neighborhood.
A Model for Miami-Dade's Housing Future
District 1 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III, who represents Miami Gardens, views developments like Ernie Martin Villas as reflecting the county's diverse housing needs and the power of collaborative development.
Today marks an important milestone for this community. Projects like this demonstrate what's possible. Public agencies come together with private investors, developers, and not-for-profit organizations working together with a shared commitment to communities.
The Ten North Group's approach emphasizes comprehensive community development beyond just housing provision. Logan emphasized that their mission extends to creating stable, thriving neighborhoods where families can build lives with dignity and opportunity.
At Ten North Group, our mission is not only to develop housing, but to help create stable, driving neighborhoods where their families can live with dignity and opportunity.
Setting Standards for Affordable Housing Preservation
The Ernie Martin Villas project represents a growing trend in Miami-Dade County toward preserving and upgrading existing affordable housing stock rather than allowing it to deteriorate or convert to market-rate housing. This approach maintains affordability while delivering modern living standards that residents deserve.
As Miami-Dade County continues to grapple with housing affordability challenges, the successful completion of this renovation demonstrates how public-private partnerships can deliver meaningful results for working families and seniors. The project serves as a model for similar developments throughout the region, showing that affordable housing can be both financially sustainable and community-enhancing.
For the 288 families calling Ernie Martin Villas home, the reopening marks not just improved living conditions, but a renewed sense of community pride and stability in an increasingly expensive housing market. The legacy of Dr. Ernest Martin lives on through housing that provides both shelter and opportunity for Miami Gardens families.
