Recap: Mayor Suarez & HUD Secretary Turner on the Power of Opportunity Zones

On April 11, 2025, the Opportunity Zone Summit in Miami hosted a compelling panel discussion titled “The Power of Opportunity Zones,” bringing together local and federal leaders to explore the transformative impact of this federal program. Keith Carswell, Director of Economic Innovation & Development, opened the event by introducing Mayor Francis X. Suarez, who then welcomed HUD Secretary Scott Turner, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, for a fireside chat. The discussion delved into how Opportunity Zones are fueling economic growth, addressing housing challenges, and fostering community revitalization in Miami. Through candid insights and shared experiences, the panel highlighted The Power of Opportunity Zones as a catalyst for collaboration, offering a blueprint for cities nationwide.

Keith Carswell Kicks Things Off

Keith Carswell opened by recognizing Mayor Suarez’s visionary leadership, emphasizing that Miami’s success is fueled by a constant push toward greater possibilities. He reflected that just when it seems a milestone has been reached, the Mayor sets an even higher goal — inspiring the entire team to stretch beyond what they thought possible.

“Each time the Mayor raises the bar, our team discovers new strength, new ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose,” Carswell shared. “It’s that spirit of collaboration and shared ambition that continues to drive Miami’s remarkable transformation and keeps us building a future without limits.”

Mayor Suarez Highlights The Power of Opportunity Zones

Mayor Suarez reflected on his belief that the homicide rate is one of the most important measures of a city’s success. He shared a memory of visiting the Overtown Youth Center with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Tim Scott, both prominent leaders from the same party, noting that the experience demonstrated how Opportunity Zones can serve as a powerful force for community revitalization and shared purpose.

Suarez highlighted Miami’s achievements, pointing to a major milestone: the city’s homicide rate fell to just 27 last year, with projections for an even safer year ahead.

“Along with the lowest homicide rate in our city’s history, Miami today has one of the lowest unemployment rates, the highest wage growth, the lowest taxes, and the strongest financial reserves we’ve ever seen,” Suarez explained, crediting much of this success to the impact of Opportunity Zone developments and the broader commitment to building a more inclusive, prosperous city.

Fireside Chat: The Power of Opportunity Zones

A Call to Serve

Suarez began by asking Turner what drove him to lead the Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Turner explained that his motivation stemmed from a deep sense of purpose rather than a desire for a title, driven by a question from President Trump and Senator Scott about supporting overlooked communities.

“The spirit of the law is economic development and community development,” he said, emphasizing that the program aims to not only bring investment and jobs but also uplift families and communities.

Goals Beyond Economics

When Suarez inquired about goals beyond financial benefits, Turner shared his vision for a lasting, generational impact. He aimed for the program to be meaningful, touching people’s lives in profound ways beyond just economic gains. To achieve this, he traveled to over 70 cities, engaging with stakeholders in more than 250 meetings to understand local challenges like poverty and blight, and to develop sustainable strategies.

“Our goal, my goal personally, number one was not only for it to be successful, but for it to be impactful,” Turner noted.

Housing Strategies Showcasing The Power of Opportunity Zones

Housing affordability, a critical issue in Miami, was a major focus of the discussion. Suarez asked Turner about strategies to address it. Turner highlighted the national housing crisis, noting the need for 7 million more units to meet demand, particularly for middle-class families. He explained that HUD’s approach involved dismantling regulatory barriers that hinder development, such as the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, which he believes overstepped by dictating local zoning decisions.

“Washington should not be mandating how Miami zones this neighborhood,” Turner stressed, advocating for local autonomy.

Lessons from a National Tour

Turner also shared lessons from his national tour, pointing out that one of the biggest hurdles was the slow processing times for multifamily housing projects. To tackle this, HUD implemented over 200 policy changes, assigning senior underwriters to speed things up, which he described as a significant success. He also noted the creation of an educational toolkit, available on HUD’s website, to help local leaders better understand and leverage Opportunity Zones.

Impact in Miami

The conversation turned to Miami’s own success stories, with Suarez asking about projects like Liberty Square and UNI Tower. Turner praised these initiatives as prime examples of public-private partnerships, bringing together elected officials, developers, community leaders, and others to address local challenges. He recalled attending their ribbon-cutting ceremonies five years ago, noting how these projects now embody the collaborative spirit of Opportunity Zones, providing quality housing and fostering long-term sustainability.

Dignity Through Opportunity

Suarez then explored how dignity should guide future efforts. Turner responded by emphasizing that restoring dignity allows people to dream and hope for a better future. He pointed to UNI Tower’s amenities—like computer rooms, business centers, and gyms—as proof that quality housing can level the playing field, making residents feel equal to those in market-rate units.

“Poverty doesn’t have a color,” Turner said, underscoring its universal impact and his commitment to using Opportunity Zones to combat it.

Reflecting on Miami’s Progress

Reflecting on a past visit to the Overtown Youth Center with Senators Scott and Rubio, Suarez asked Turner what stood out. Turner noted that the same spirit of community and partnership he saw then persists today, with people uniting for a shared goal.

Lasting Legacy

Finally, when asked about the lasting legacy of Opportunity Zones, Turner described it as transformative, hoping it would be remembered as a program that used every resource to improve lives across America.

“I think the word that comes to my mind is transformative, to transform the lives of individuals and families,” he said, aiming for a legacy of impactful stewardship.

Conclusion: Turner’s Vision Elevates Opportunity Zones Beyond Policy

The fireside chat showcased the transformative potential of Opportunity Zones, with HUD Secretary Scott Turner delivering a powerful national vision. He highlighted Miami’s Liberty Square and UNI Tower projects as shining examples—public-private partnerships that provide quality housing and drive economic progress. Turner emphasized that when dignity is restored, people can dream again, positioning Opportunity Zones as a bold strategy to attack and obliterate poverty, far beyond a mere tax incentive.

Miami’s achievements reinforce Turner’s perspective: when federal goals meet local action, communities flourish. His push for collaboration—uniting government, developers, and residents—resonated strongly, framing Opportunity Zones as a movement to rebuild not just infrastructure, but hope itself. Turner’s leadership left a lasting impression, signaling that this program could redefine opportunity nationwide.