Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava outlines affordability, safety, and World Cup readiness in State of the County address

Speech delivered at Florida Memorial University frames 2026 priorities around growth pressures and public services

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava used her annual State of the County address on Jan. 28, 2026, to describe a county managing rapid growth while trying to keep basic costs within reach for residents. Speaking at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Levine Cava highlighted affordability as a central theme and called for unity as local governments face uncertainty over funding and policy decisions that shape day-to-day services.

The mayor’s remarks positioned Miami-Dade’s next year around three broad tracks: lowering cost pressures on households, preparing infrastructure and services for major international events, and maintaining public safety and resilience as the county continues to expand.

Housing and affordability: expanding supply and using public land

Housing was presented as a leading challenge. Levine Cava said the county has added about 9,000 affordable housing units, with additional projects underway. She also said she directed county staff to identify vacant county-owned land that could be used for housing development, an approach aimed at increasing supply while reducing land-acquisition barriers that can drive up costs.

While the address emphasized steps already taken, affordability pressures remain tied to factors beyond county control, including regional market conditions and interest rates. County actions, in this context, largely focus on zoning, land use, incentives, and project pipelines that can affect how quickly units come online.

World Cup preparations and airport operations in focus

Levine Cava also linked Miami-Dade’s economic trajectory to global events hosted locally, citing continuing activity around major sports and entertainment. With 2026 FIFA World Cup matches expected in the region, she said the tournament is projected to generate an estimated $1.3 billion for the local economy.

Operational readiness at Miami International Airport was highlighted as a near-term priority. Levine Cava said the county launched a “Forward Flight Team” intended to improve the passenger experience ahead of the World Cup, including visible, short-term upgrades and efforts to enhance the airport environment.

Politics, taxes, and the sustainability of county services

After the speech, Levine Cava addressed a recall petition effort connected to a previous election opponent and characterized it as a political distraction. Separately, she noted state-level discussions about potential property tax cuts and said her administration is focused on informing residents about how changes to property-tax revenues could affect county services.

Levine Cava framed the year ahead as a test of whether Miami-Dade can keep expanding while preserving service levels and improving affordability.

• Date and venue: Jan. 28, 2026, at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens.
• Housing: county reported adding about 9,000 affordable units and pursuing additional sites, including vacant county land.
• Major events: 2026 World Cup planning tied to economic and infrastructure readiness.
• Funding outlook: property-tax policy debates raised as a potential factor for county service delivery.