All articles tagged with #homestead
Twelve men were charged with felonies, including human trafficking of a person under 18, after an undercover operation in Homestead tied to FIFA World Cup events in Miami-Dade; detectives posed as a mother prostituting her two daughters online, and the suspects were arrested when they arrived at a hotel.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces a June Special Session to push a phased plan that could eventually end Florida’s homestead property tax. The plan starts with raising the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028, then a timetable to fully eliminate the tax contingent on voter approval and a 3/5 legislative vote. It shields local governments with protections and a trust fund to cover core services, avoids new offset taxes during the transition, and imposes a five-year homestead tax requirement on newcomers to curb benefits for movers. An implementing session post-election will finalize mechanics, with broad public support indicated in polls.
The Florida House approved a joint resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would immediately end non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties beginning January 1, 2027, in an 80-30 vote along party lines. The Senate has not yet proposed a bill, and three-fifths support in both chambers is required to reach the ballot. Senate leaders say they’ll propose their own measure, potentially this session or in a special session. If approved, local governments could face large costs, and Gov. DeSantis has not unveiled a full plan, urging a careful, right approach over speed. The legislative session could extend beyond its scheduled end date.
A massive rowhouse fire in Homestead, Allegheny County, injured five firefighters and displaced eight residents. The first call for the fire came in around 9:27 a.m., and firefighters faced challenges due to below-freezing conditions, including frozen fire hydrants. Despite the difficulties, all residents were able to escape the fire without injuries. Three rowhouses were damaged, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Three partners purchased an abandoned high school in Homestead, Pennsylvania for $100,000 and converted it into a 31-unit apartment building. They then bought another abandoned school across the street for $90,000 and spent $4.5 million renovating it into a 33-apartment building. The renovation took 18 months and included converting the gym and auditorium into eight two-story apartments. The partners utilized state and federal tax credits and are currently at 85% occupancy, turning a profit. The buildings offer amenities such as a double-decker garage, rooftop deck, basketball court, and gym. The partners have no immediate plans for another project but are open to future ventures.
Adam Colucci, Jesse Wig, and Dan Spanovich purchased an abandoned school in Homestead, Pennsylvania for $90,000 and transformed it into a 33-unit apartment building after spending $4.5 million on renovations over 18 months. This project follows their previous successful conversion of another abandoned school into apartments across the street.
A 22-year-old man from Homestead has been identified as the victim of a mass shooting in Indiana County. The incident is currently under investigation.