Streamlining Housing Access and Resident Experience

Public Innovation Challenge No. 6

Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (“MDIA”) invites early- to growth-stage companies to submit pilot-ready solutions that use data and technology to streamline resident placement and eliminate barriers to housing access. Collaborators for this challenge include Miami-Dade County’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED), Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and  Miami Homes For All.

Why is Housing Access and Residence Experience Important?

Miami-Dade County manages more than 6,500 public housing units but faces a growing demand for support. By 2030, the County is projected to face a shortfall of over 90,000 affordable units for households earning below 80% of the area median income. 

Miami-Dade has one of the largest gaps between wages and housing costs in the U.S. Affordable housing is essential for retaining workers, especially in vital sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and public services. Housing insecurity contributes to homelessness, overcrowding, and poor health outcomes. Stable housing improves educational outcomes for children, mental and physical health, and access to social services. The demand for housing far outpaces supply, leading to rising rents and displacement, especially in traditionally working-class or immigrant neighborhoods. Maintaining diverse, affordable housing is key to preserving cultural identity and local heritage.

HCD serves a wide range of individuals and families, which includes: single-parent families; elderly residents (aged 70+, fixed income); disabled individuals; working adults at risk of eviction; veterans; and youth aging out of foster care. The technology solutions identified and piloted have the potential to reach (and benefit) the more than 100,000 individuals annually who are currently in the application process, waitlisted, or already placed into housing units.

What Solutions Do We Seek?

MDIA  invites companies to pilot tools that improve resident engagement, eliminate bottlenecks in the placement process, ease resource navigation, reduce administrative burden, enhance resident engagement efforts, and support housing site planning.  Specifically, the challenge seeks pilot ready solutions focused on several priority areas and eligible technologies:

  • Navigation: user-friendly platforms that help residents explore available housing options, check eligibility, and access financial assistance; community engagement platforms that encourage public input. 

  • Optimization: digital tools that make it easier to submit applications, while reducing manual processing time, elicit resident feedback, and provide real-time updates without added staff burden; and systems that improve how residents are matched with available units and reduce vacancy turnaround times.

  • Mapping: planning and mapping tools that assist the County in identifying new affordable housing sites

How Does The Public Innovation Challenge Work?

  1. Apply to submit your solution for an opportunity to receive a $100,000 equity investment and to test and validate your solution at the Department of Housing and Community Development. 

  2. Your company should have an existing product or MVP (minimum viable product) ready to be tested and validated in a commercial market setting.

  3. Your company should be legally registered and compliant with all relevant regulations and laws in your respective jurisdictions. 

  4. We evaluate each application thoroughly through a multi-stage process involving subject matter experts and an investor-led selection committee. While there are no inflexible rules and guidelines, we generally consider factors such as the level of innovation, feasibility of the proposed solution, and potential for sustainable impact and scalability.

    Check out our FAQ to learn more about eligibility criteria, requirements, and other important information.

Key Dates

  • Final Application Deadline: Friday, September 5th , 2025 at 11:59pm EST

  • Application Review (6-8 weeks)

  • Top 10 Finalist Interviews: Mid-Late October 2025

About MDIA

MDIA bridges the gap between private innovators and the public sector to fast track innovation that improves quality of life for residents.  Through our signature Public Innovation Challenge, we identify, invest in and support early-to-growth stage companies from across the globe to pilot, test and validate their technology and solutions to pressing public challenges in collaboration with the economic engines within municipalities.

For more information, go to: https://www.mdia.miami/about