LTC 232-2020 - COVD-19 Community AssistanceMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC # 232-2020 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor Dan Gelber and Members ò
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager + I S-
July 2, 2020
COVD-19 Community Assistance
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide the Mayor and Commissioners, as
requested, further details regarding three specific programs established to provide relief to
our residents and small businesses from the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
Housing and Rental Assistance
After Commission approval, the Office of Housing and Community Services has issued two
separate rental assistance programs. The first phase, which ran between May 18, 2020
through June 24, 2020, was a first applied, first qualified effort. This effort was staffed by three
case workers, the department director, assistant director and a volunteer. We received 502
qualified applicants. About 30.8% of qualified applicants were funded for rent assistance
with an average award of $2,004.30. A significant amount of those who were ineligible were
households that did not meet permanent residency requirements. The second most
common reason was inability to demonstrate need.
TOTAL AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED:
TOTAL FAMILIES ASSISTED:
$310.667.81
155
The second phase, which began on June 15, 2020 and is ongoing, was conducted via a
randomized lottery with 594 unique applicants. The effort is staffed by three case workers,
the department director, assistant director and a volunteer. The current average rent
assistance distributed thus far is $3,067.38. This higher number is to be expected as the
number of months that applicants are in arrears is higher. A significant number of applicants
who were ineligible continue to be households that do not meet permanent residency
requirements.
TOTAL AMOUNT DISTRIBUTED TO DATE: $12269.51
TOTAL FAMILIES ASSISTED TO DATE: 4
The rent assistance program continues to have high demand especially among households
that have not achieved permanent residency. Most of these households were employed
in the hotel hospitality sector. If the City were to receive additional CARES funding, staff
recommends that the dollars are awarded to the HANDS program with a service restriction
of Miami Beach residents and a priority to serve those clients whom the City could not
directly assist.
Food
In addition to providing rental assistance, the Office of Housing and Community Services
expanded their ongoing grocery delivery program to assist families who found themselves
food insecure as a result of the impacts of COVID-19. These families are not eligible for SNAP
benefits, most of which with multiple children. This program is also serving families with SNAP
benefits but whose benefits are not enough for the entire month. This effort is staffed by four
outreach works (Tuesday through Thursday) for distribution, one outreach worker (Monday)
for inventory and product delivery, six daily volunteers to package groceries, department
director and assistant director.
We currently have 1215 registered households, although weekly demand increases the first
and last weeks of the month and dips when most households receive SNAP benefits.
May Weekly Breakdown Report:
• 5/5- 5/8: 462 households
• 5/12 - 5/15: 449 households
• 5/19- 5/22: 453 households
• 5/26- 5/28: 348 households
June Weekly Breakdown Report:
• 6/2- 6/5: 332 households
• 6/9 - 6/11: 323 households
• 6/16-6/18: 249 households (the site consolidated to the 505 17h St location
and closed operations early to enable move)
• 6/23 - 6/25: 236 households
The grocery program should continue to serve those households that are ineligible for
SNAP benefits and those with no food alternative. Additionally, staff recommends
capping this program at 250 households per week in order to guarantee services.
Additionally, as a result of the efforts of Commissioner David Richardson, partnerships have
been established with Feeding South Florida, Farm Share, Seniors in Action and SA VE.
Several food programs have delivered groceries directly to elderly residents and provided
food via drive thru distribution programs. These programs have been assisted by city staff
and resources including Police and Building Inspectors who have packed and delivered
groceries to residents' doors. Ocean Rescue and Fire Fighters have supported the drive-
thru food distributions. Property Management staff provides logistical support to all the
programs.
Small Business and Employee Assistance
In late March, at the direction of the City Commission, the Office of Economic
Development established and staffed the Resource Center. The Center is staffed with 14
employees from multiple city departments. Along with assisting in the areas below, the
Center has been aiding residents with city sponsored food distribution programs and
providing resources to businesses regarding staffing concerns, financial assistance and
operational support.
Unemployment Assistance:
Job Placement:
SNAP Program:
Food Assistance:
Child Care/Education Resources:
Activities and Programming:
Other:
737
89
342
907
49
74
2.426
TOTAL CONTACTS TO DATE: 3,384
A small business financial assistance program was created with a pool of $200,000
available funds for a maximum $10,000 award. Grant dollars awarded can be used for
any business expenses such as payroll, utilities, rent and any COVID related expenses. The
program received 57 applicants. Staff is currently reviewing applications and the lottery of
qualified applicants is expected to take place on Monday, July 6, 2020.
These are just some of the services that our City staff have provided and continue to
provide to the community during this pandemic. I am proud of our staff who have gone
above and beyond working on COVID-19 response as well as do their best in trying to
maintain daily service levels and continue to move strategic priorities forward. I cannot
stress enough the focus of my administration on COVID-19 and we will continue this
throughout the recovery process. I appreciate your patience and support during these
unprecedented times.