Dade Heritage Trust was proud to launch the inaugural DHT Champion Award at the 2025 Annual Preservation Awards by recognizing a friend, an ally in preservation, and a dedicated public servant—Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
Commissioner Higgins has demonstrated outstanding leadership and unwavering support of preservation efforts throughout our community. She has been instrumental in securing multi-year County funding for DHT’s Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Initiative—an innovative program that has become a national model for the preservation of affordable housing. Her advocacy extends far beyond housing, aligning closely with DHT’s mission to protect both the built and natural environments.
From championing equitable development to supporting cultural and environmental preservation, Commissioner Higgins exemplifies what it means to build healthy, thriving neighborhoods for all. We are honored to recognize her vision, partnership, and impact with the very first DHT Champion Award.