Miami-Dade County Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez sponsored legislation that was passed unanimously by the county commission on Tuesday, Apr. 4, to grant property owners of The Hammocks Community Association in West Kendall a limited extended period to resolve civil penalties and liens related to building code violations, an action that will provide direct relief to financially burdened District 11 owners.

“I am pleased that we have been able to bring relief to our neighbors in The Hammocks who have already suffered enough,” Commissioner Gonzalez said. “This legislation will benefit property owners by allowing additional time to come into compliance. In this way, we won’t add to the pain that these homeowners have experienced so they can begin to recover some peace of mind and recover that sense of home.”

Due to fraudulent activities by The Hammocks Community Association that have reached the state level, Commissioner Gonzalez’s bill provides financial relief to The Hammocks property owners, many of whom faced losing their homes, due to spiked association fees, mounting code violations, and legal fees passed on to them from the association. Now, property owners have additional time to resolve penalties in order to reach compliance with the county, assisting many owners who are currently cost-burdened.

The Hammocks Community Association is the largest in Florida and represents over 18,000 properties.