Homestead forum: residents urge fixes for roads, more parks, jobs and a revived downtown

The City of Homestead held a community forum as part of its strategic-planning process to collect public input on priorities for the next five years. Consultants from BerryDunn presented demographic and livability data and led small‑group exercises; elected officials and staff closed by describing next steps for drafting the plan.

Residents and stakeholder groups repeatedly identified road maintenance and traffic as the most visible and urgent concern, saying local infrastructure is not keeping pace with rapid population growth. “The more individuals in your community, the more need for housing, the more need for your schools, right, the more need for infrastructure,” BerryDunn research analyst Bailey Dickinson said while presenting the community profile.

Why it matters: the forum’s outputs will inform an environmental scan and a draft strategic plan that city staff and council will review before the plan is finalized. Council and staff said they will use the compiled input to set priorities and performance measures for the next five years.

Top themes reported during the forum included transportation and road maintenance; housing affordability and elder housing; parks, recreation and downtown beautification; economic development and higher‑wage jobs; arts and cultural amenities; youth activities; and improvements to permitting and internal city processes.

BerryDunn emphasized rapid population growth and affordability indicators during a slide presentation. Bailey Dickinson said Homestead’s population rose “from a little over 60,000 back in 2010, all the way to in the 80 thousands in 2023,” and that local estimates suggest it “could even hit the hundred thousand range.” The consultant reported a median household income of $61,975 in Homestead versus a national median of $80,610 and a median gross mortgage payment of $2,186, which the presentation said makes housing comparatively more affordable than the national average but still a persistent concern for residents.

Other data shared: Dickinson said Homestead’s unemployment rate is about 2.6 percent and that education, health care and social assistance are leading local employment sectors. The presentation noted 25 charter public schools in Homestead serving roughly 14,000 students and referenced the AARP Livability Index as a tool used in the scan.

Public attendees used small‑group exercises to prioritize goals. Group reports and comments recorded a desire for a revitalized downtown with coffee shops, galleries and eateries, stronger local job opportunities so residents do not commute out of town, more arts and cultural programming, and greater attention to city cleanliness and landscaping. Several groups asked for more Summer and after‑school options for youth and additional housing or services for older residents.

Speakers also described process improvements they want from city government: faster, more navigable permitting and clearer points of contact for entrepreneurs and small businesses. “When it comes down to the permits… that process can be very lengthy,” a group spokesperson said during the report‑out.

City staff and elected officials framed public trust and public safety as strengths. Dickinson said emergency response and engagement ranked high on the survey of priorities, and Councilwoman Avila told the forum she is optimistic about achieving many goals: “I think we can do it in 5 years.” Mayor Lawson praised the tone of the sessions and urged continued engagement: “Stay optimistic and, stay on top of us,” he said.

Next steps and announcements: BerryDunn and city staff will synthesize the forum input into the environmental scan and a draft strategic plan for council and staff review; the draft will be returned to the public for review before being finalized. Staff also announced upcoming city events and programs, including an egg‑extravaganza at Harris Field, the reopening of renovated tennis and pickleball courts at JD Redd Park, a Community Redevelopment Agency meeting and an upcoming City Council meeting. The city also reminded residents of an Elevate Florida application window for flood‑mitigation funding (deadline noted in the forum as the following day at 7 p.m.).

The forum gathered about 183 online survey responses the consultants cited; presenters and attendees said the survey remains open and encouraged broader participation so the plan reflects a larger cross‑section of the community.