NBC2 Investigates: Who is building your home?
Every homeowner should know that unlicensed subcontractors are building homes in Southwest Florida and state law allows it to happen..."I wanted a sure thing. I went with a big company and I got nothing but trouble," said Arcuri. He signed a contract with Jim Walter Homes a year and a half ago, after Hurricane Charley destroyed his first home. Part of the reason for the delay: the foundation of the home had to be ripped up after steel rods were put in the wrong place.  "117 of those rods were misplaced, 117 out of 136 rods misplaced," said Arcuri.

Miami’s Poorest Protest Agency Cronyism, Corruption
Groups demand accountability and civilian oversight of the local housing agency after Miami officials were reported to have squandered millions in affordable housing funds. We’re beyond a crisis. It’s a complete disaster at this point...

HOMES FOR THE LOW-INCOME WERE SNAPPED UP BY OTHER BUYERS WHO FLIPPED THEM FOR A PROFIT
In a county seized by one of the most dramatic affordable housing shortages in the nation, developers entrusted with government land and money to build homes for the poor have sold instead to real estate investors, wealthy buyers or families who turned quick profits.

Prominent developer sued by homeowners
  East Bay Golf Villas condominium owners are suing the developers and builders of their 40 units completed in 2003 complaining of shoddy work and corner-cutting that allegedly caused dangerous conditions in the apartments...In Moody's complaint, the homeowners allege breach of warranty and violations of state building codes.

A nonprofit received $16 million and land but finished just one affordable housing project
Over five years, the MDHA Development Corp. received $16 million from Miami-Dade County, dozens of vacant lots, the deed to an apartment complex, county office equipment, loaner cars and staff time worth almost $500,000.But of 17 affordable housing projects, the nonprofit has produced just one: a 100-unit apartment complex for the elderly that was months delayed and riddled with building breakdowns.

House of Lies
In the past five years, the Miami-Dade Housing Agency squandered millions of dollars on failed projects, pet programs and insider deals even as thousands of families languished in rotting and unsafe homes...It was the beginning in a series of ill-fated government deals that shook the foundation of public housing in one of the poorest and most distressed communities in the nation.

Wife of jailed builder arrested in fraud case
The wife of a Central Florida home builder was arrested Thursday after a federal grand jury indicted the couple on conspiracy and fraud charges...John Barrington, 44, who was born John Stuart Jakows, started his home-building business in July 2002, a few weeks after his release from a state prison. By legally changing his name later that year, he hid his criminal past from lenders and clients. He is a felon on state supervision with a record dating to 1990. His arrests and convictions include counts of grand theft, mortgage fraud and forgery in Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties.

Wife of jailed builder arrested in fraud case
The wife of a Central Florida home builder was arrested Thursday after a federal grand jury indicted the couple on conspiracy and fraud charges...John Barrington, 44, who was born John Stuart Jakows, started his home-building business in July 2002, a few weeks after his release from a state prison. By legally changing his name later that year, he hid his criminal past from lenders and clients. He is a felon on state supervision with a record dating to 1990. His arrests and convictions include counts of grand theft, mortgage fraud and forgery in Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties.

Homeowner Construction Fund An Uncertain Road To Recovery
Coral Bay homeowners have reported losing tens of thousands of dollars - $25,000 to $40,000 for deposits alone - and more in twice-paid impact fees and attempts to remove subcontractors' liens. Leonard said recently she and her husband have spent $60,000 beyond their contract with Coral Bay to resolve problems and another $25,000 to have another contractor finish their house in Shady Hills. See homeowner website: Coralbayhomes.com