County Commissioner Proposes Amnesty For Struggling Homeowners

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) - Half of Carlos Romero's Southwest Miami-Dade home is a skeleton of wood beams and air ducts.

He and six family members have lived in a state of construction for four years, ever since the economy tanked, his daughter lost her job, and their money ran out.

"And if you go to the bank, which bank gives you money for this? Nobody," Romero told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

To make matters worse, Romero, 73, says he has been hit with multiple fines from Miami-Dade County's building department, for not getting proper inspections.

"(Every) six months you don't make an inspection you have to pay a 500 dollar fee, to start again to make inspections. If I don't have money, how am I going to do that?" he exclaimed.

"I've had people coming in here crying," said County Commissioner Joe Martinez. He says homeowners are struggling with building code fines and even liens on their homes.

That's why Martinez says he proposed a sixth-month period of amnesty to help homeowners start fresh while at the same time, making sure their homes are safe and legal.

"You have to get your permit; but every lien, all the fines, all the penalties you had from before, we will waive that. It's bringing a little piece of mind to everybody, helping them out in this economy," says Martinez.

Current lawsuits the county has filed against homeowners will still move forward, and banks won't get a break on the properties they own.

Also, no one knows the financial hit the cash-strapped county could take from this proposed amnesty period.

Romero says forgiving his fines, would help his family and others who are struggling.

"I think it's a real, real good thing for the economy of this county," said Romero.

The amnesty proposal will be brought up at a County Committee meeting Wednesday, and if it passes there it will go to a full Commission vote next week.

To learn more about the proposal Click Here.