Covenant House Plans 76-Unit Apartment Building

Residents of South Middle River object to the planned Fort Lauderdale project and worry about a possible social services facility.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Apartments

Covenant House Plans 76-Unit Apartment Building

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Covenant House is developing a three-story, 76-unit affordable housing apartment building at Northeast 17th Court and Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Residents opposed the project during a Monday night Zoom session that drew roughly 100 participants, though Covenant House representatives did not attend.

Why it matters

City approvals currently cover only the apartment building, not a social services facility, and residents fear one could later open in their neighborhood. Any such facility would require review by the planning and zoning board and authorization by the commission.

The planned building is 76 units across three stories on a site Covenant House assembled from four lots in South Middle River. The city says only the apartment building is approved, and it is unknown whether the developer will seek a social services facility.

The players

Covenant House

A nonprofit organization that provides housing and services to young people experiencing homelessness, and which is developing the proposed affordable housing project.

Dean Trantalis

The mayor of Fort Lauderdale, who oversees the city government reviewing the project's approvals and zoning.

The details

Covenant House purchased four lots in South Middle River to develop the empty site at Northeast 17th Court and Andrews Avenue. Covenant House released a Tuesday afternoon statement that did not address why its representatives missed the Monday night meeting.

Monday night: Covenant House hosts a Zoom question-and-answer session attended by roughly 100 participants.
Tuesday afternoon: Covenant House releases a statement that does not address the missed meeting.

Local Zoning Context

Under Fort Lauderdale's zoning review process, any social services facility on the site must go before the planning and zoning board and receive commission authorization. The current approval covers only the 76-unit apartment building, not a social services use.

South Middle River residents may see a new 76-unit apartment building near Northeast 17th Court and Andrews Avenue. Any future social services facility would require formal city review and commission approval before it could open.

The takeaway

Residents who want a say in neighborhood land use can follow the planning and zoning board agenda, since any social services facility must pass that review. Staying informed about formal filings is the most direct way to track how the site may change.