RESOLUTION 89-19522 RESOLUTION NUMBER 89-19522
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMISSION OF THE UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PLAN (CHAP) TO THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT (HUD), PURSUANT TO TITLE IV OF THE
STEWART B. MCKINNEY HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT,
PL 100-77 (7/22/87) AND SECTION 485 OF THE STEWART
B. MCKINNEY HOMELESS ASSISTANCE AMENDMENTS
ACT OF 1988, PL 100-628, AND DESIGNATING THE CITY
MANAGER AS THE AUTHORIZED SIGNATOR FOR
SUBMISSION OF SUCH DOCUMENT
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA:
WHEREAS, on July 22, 1987 President Reagan signed into law the Stewart B.
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act intended to provide urgently needed assistance to
protect and improve the lives of the homeless; and,
WHEREAS, under Title IV of such act, the U.S. Department of HUD may not
make any assistance available to local governments, private non-profits, community
development corporations, etc., unless the City has an approved, updated
"Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan"; and,
WHEREAS, the Plan is also required in connection with programs administered
by the Departments of Education, Labor, and other federal departments; and,
WHEREAS, such a Plan was submitted and approved by the City of Miami Beach
in 1987; and
WHEREAS, the City is now required to update the Plan according to Section 485
of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988, PL 100-
628; and
WHEREAS, failure of the City of Miami Beach to submit an updated
Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan could result in the loss of millions of dollars
of potential services to the City of Miami Beach and prohibit all non-profit agencies
from making application for various grants and loans; and,
WHEREAS, submission of this updated "Comprehensive Homeless Assistance
Plan" does not commit the City to make any application for assistance; and
WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of the City to develop and submit a
Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the City Manager be authorized and
directed to submit the "Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan" to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development by February 13, 1989, and that the
City Manager be the authorized signator for such plan. Further, that the
Administration be authorized to submit to HUD any amendments, technical changes,
etc. that may be identified by HUD, or the City, during the review process for the
Plan.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 1st DAY OF Febr ,1 , 1989.
4(10
MA '•R
ATTEST:
-6-04, ;12 alti/f
ITY CLERK
MI NMI"
OM NM
75—
00 71,6:40,a, vead
FLORIDA 3 3 1 3 9
:*iiNCORpiORATED*i a sVACA TIONL,4NL) U. S. A. "
\9��H26••14"
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER CITY HALL
ROB W.PARKINS 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE
CITY MANAGER TELEPHONE: 673-7010
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO.
C/
DATE: February 1, 1989
TO: Mayor Alex Dao • and -
Members of t- - City Co is •
P11/1"
4i1P
FROM: Rob W. Park'•
City Manager
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION AND
COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PLAN—SUBMISSION TO
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HUD
On August 10 , 1988 the Department of Housing and Urban
Development published the final rule on the Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Amendments Act. Under this rule, the City of
Miami Beach is required to submit an updated Comprehensive
Homeless Assistance Plan which would allow them to request the
City's allocation of $30, 000 to be used in 1989 for either: 1)
rehabilitation, 2 ) operation or maintenance, or 3) the
provision of essential services, or an appropriate combination of
the three, at a shelter for the homeless. The City's previous
year's allocation was combined with Dade County's and used for
the rehabilitation of the Miami Mission Association, Inc . a
shelter for homeless women and children which is currently in
operation. The City has decided not to combine funds with Dade
County again but rather to directly assist the Miami Mission
Association, Inc. with this year's allocation, to be used for the
operating and maintenance costs in return for the Miami Beach
homeless women and children being given priority for placement at
the shelter.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the City Manager be authorized
and directed to submit the updated "Comprehensive Homeless
Assistance Plan" and an application for funding under the
Emergency Shelter Grant Program to the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development by February 13 , 1989 , and that the City
Manager be the authorized signator for both documents. Also,
should the funds be allocated from the U.S. Department of HUD,
that the City be authorized to appropriate such funds when
received.
4.
31
/ rli
AGENDA —
ITEM
j_ ?
DATE `"` r
COMPREHENSIVE HOMELE' S
ASSISTANCE PLAN
(C.H. A.P.)
Annual Update
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Nammimmompr
Amememorm-
:conomic and Community
evelopment Department
February 1989
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGES
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. STATEMENT OF NEED 2
A. EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM 2
B. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM 3
1. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING 3
2. PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THE HANDICAPPED 3
C. SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR FACILITIES TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS 4
D. SECTION 8 MODERATE REHABILITATION PROGRAM (SRO) 5
III. INVENTORY OF AVAILABLE FACILITIES/SERVICES 6-12
IV. STRATEGY TO MATCH NEEDS WITH AVAILABLE SERVICES AND FACILITIES 13
V. HOW FEDERAL ASSISTANCE WILL COMPLEMENT AND ENHANCE
AVAILABLE SERVICES AND FACILITIES 14-15
VI. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTACT PERSON 16
VII. ASSURANCE AND CERTIFICATION 17
VIII. CHAP SOURCES/RESEARCH DATA 18
I_ INTRODUCTION
Metro-Dade County has indicated that it estimates the total number of homeless
individuals in Dade County between 4,000 and 10,000. The City of Miami Beach also
has seen an increase in the number of homeless individuals/families in recent years.
The estimated count fluctuates between 200 to 400 individuals, according to the Miami
Beach Police Department, depending on such factors as climatic changes, migration
and immigration patterns. Favorable weather conditions and the beaches attract
many homeless from the north during the winter. Also, because of the geographic
location and the attractive nature of this City, there have been situations where
individuals from other countries have arrrived without appropriate authority.
Since the influx of Mariel refugees in 1980 and with anticipation of a new influx of
Nicaraguan refugees, many of whom have become homeless, Miami Beach has
attempted to tailor its social service programs to meet the needs of this new segment
of the population. Programs such as health care for single mothers, food and clothing
for families, and job training for the young have been created. The need, however, is
still not being fulfilled. Housing accommodations are limited and there are no
facilities for emergency shelter provided in the City.
The goal of the City of Miami Beach is to provide additional social services to the
homeless families and immigrants who are now a segment of the population. Ideally,
funding could also be utilized to provide shelter, either temporary or permanent, in the
Dade County area, that could address the needs of this homeless segment of our
population.
1
II. STATEMENT DESCRIBING NEED, OR LACK THEREOF
A. Emergency Shelter Grant Program
Currently, there are no emergency shelters located in Miami Beach. When
the need for shelter arises, clients must be transported to one of a few
locations in the Dade County/Miami area. These facilities provide very
limited bed space and there are only a limited number of facilities available
to women and children. There is a need for all categories of the homeless.
The three major facilities within Dade County are the Camillus House,
Miami Rescue Mission and Miami Mission Association.
The "Camillus House" in Miami provides sleeping accommodations to men
only. It offers each person seven free nights of lodging each year. It also
provides a clothing exchange and one hot meal each day. This facility
reports that a minimum of twenty to twenty-five men are turned away each
day, due to lack of space. The facility is run on a first-come, first-serve
basis.
The Miami Rescue Mission is in the process of building a men's facility that
will house 250 transients, fifty men who are on room and board
accomodations, and fifty men who will be enrolled in the long-term training
program. The facility is planning to open in the near future.
The Miami Mission Association opened a women's and children's facility in
January 1989 that was renovated with a combination of Emergency Shelter
Grants funding from Dade County and the City of Miami Beach. It contains
thirty-seven beds for both transient and long term residents. The shelter
will offer food and clothing to all residents. The long term residents will be
enrolled in a job referral/placement program to assist them in finding
employment or appropriate training. The shelter will also provide
transportation for its residents.
The number of shelters available, has increased since the submission of the
1987 CHAP, as can be seen in our inventory included in this report.
The number of homeless people in Miami Beach, alone, still far exceeds the
number of units that are available in Miami. The Miami Beach Police
Department estimates approximately 200 to 400 homeless persons within the
City. Since there are no facilities for emergency shelter in Miami Beach,
clients must be transported elsewhere; thus creating a transportation
problem. There is currently no agency available to provide transportation
for the homeless, which necessitates a reliance on public transportation.
The cost of public transportation has increased and the City has exhausted
its resources that could be used to supply a limited number of Metro-Dade
bus passes. The transference of homeless from one City to another is a
policy that needs to be remedied by providing a shelter for the homeless in
the Dade County area, which would serve numerous jurisdictions.
2
B. Supportive Housing Demonstration Program
1. Transitional Housing:
There is a need in the Dade County area for this type of facility that would
provide new residents or others preparing to be on their own, an opportunity
for a smooth transition. Miami Beach attracts "northerners" during the
winter months who sometimes come unprepared financially to support
themselves and, therefore, find themselves homeless. Also, experience in
Dade County indicates that homeless hispanics who cannot afford housing
tend to move in with family or friends, thereby creating over-crowded
housing conditions. There are a few satellite agencies in Miami Beach that
are able to provide temporary assistance; i.e., paying for a one-week stay in
a local hotel, but the demand still exceeds the supply. In addition to the
Marie' refugee influx, Miami Beach also attracts a large number of legal and
illegal immigrants from the Caribbean and other areas. It is difficult to cite
statistics on the number of these homeless individuals, because of the
fluctuation due to factors in the climate and immigration flow. Miami
Beach also has a proportional segment of the population who are elderly and
live on fixed incomes. These elderly individuals sometimes find themselves
between SSI checks and without family members to assist them. A one-time
payment of rent is often enough to help them avoid becoming homeless.
Again, most of the agencies that provide this type of housing or assistance
are located in the City of Miami (Dade County area) and transportation has
been a deterrent.
2. Permanent Housing for the Handicapped:
The homeless segment of Miami Beach is also represented by some
handicapped clients. This segment includes elderly, mentally ill or retarded
individuals, and the physically handicapped. This situation makes the City's
housing needs unique. Also, Miami Beach, like all ocean front communities
in South Florida, attracts homeless individuals because of our warm climate
and open beach front property; thus, homeless individuals have been found
living on the beaches in the City of Miami Beach.
Therefore, permanent housing for the handicapped is needed in the Dade
County area. In Dade County, there is a regional rehabilitation program for
spinal cord injuries at Jackson Memorial Hospital. It is our understanding
that this facility has only 34 beds, full at all times. It is estimated by
Metro-Dade County that eighty percent (80%) of the people discharged
from the program may become homeless.
The City of Miami Beach has one adult congregate living facility (ACLF)
that provides 41 beds for mentally and/or physically handicapped adults.
This facility is normally filled to capacity and charges a monthly fee to the
residents. There are twelve other permanent housing facilities (ACLFs) on
Miami Beach for a total of 839 beds. Some of these will accept mildly
handicapped individuals as long as they are able to care for themselves.
There is no assistance provided in these facilities in regard to nursing,
bathing or feeding. Three additional ACLF's have been approved to open
and will supply another 176 beds.
3
The City also offers a job training and educational program for
approximately 42 mentally and/or physically handicapped adults. Most of
these participants live with their families or in group-homes in Miami,
because facilities are not available on Miami Beach. The program has had
many applicants that it has been unable to accept because of the limited
number of clients that it can serve and the lack of financial assistance and
adequate housing for these applicants within the City of Miami Beach. This
program currently receives funding from the State of Florida through the
Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Therefore, the agency
administering the program may be interested in applying for additional
funding from the State under this program.
C. Supplemental Assistance Program
The population of the City of Miami Beach (based on the 1980 census) is
96,296 with 74.5% white, .9% black, 22.3% hispanic and 2.3% other. Of the
total population in 1980, 58.3% were elderly (60 years old or older).
However, it should be noted that the 1980 census did not account for the
Mariel refugee influx, which is generally a younger, less affluent population.
A 1988 survey of residents who have moved to Miami Beach within the last
five years supports this prediction. The Resident Motivational Survey that
was conducted by the Economic and Community Development Department
of the City of Miami Beach revealed that the new residents were composed
of 46.6% white, 5.4% black, 43.3% hispanic and 5% other. Most were under
fifty years old. The incomes remained somewhat low making it difficult for
some residents to meet their housing needs. Because of the transient
population and the mixture of ethnic groups, many of the City's residents
have become homeless. A wider range of services is needed because of
these additional minority groups, the needs of the elderly population, and
the increase in the number of young families. However, the types of
services provided in Miami Beach have not changed rapidly enough to serve
these new residents. Whereas, residents prior to this time were
predominantly frail elderly, services such as home-delivered meals, home
health aides, day care and congregate hot meals were provided, and are still
needed. With the onslaught of the younger Hispanic group, services such as
employment training, education, English for Speakers of Other Languages,
and low-cost health care are also needed. Also, there are many other needs;
e.g., congregate meal programs for the elderly, and additional decent, safe
and sanitary multi-family living units. Therefore, the need for supplemental
assistance is evident.
With this trend of homelessness comes the need for outside services such as:
health care, food, clothing, job training and counseling. In 1980, the
standard social indicators of poverty and overcrowding were already
increasing at a greater speed for Miami Beach than for Dade County as a
whole. However, the majority of services to meet these increased needs
were provided in the Miami area, and not in the City of Miami Beach.
Since Miami Beach's homeless population has risen in recent years, and the
social services needs of its residents are also increasing, it is becoming
necessary to provide services to this segment of the populaton. Services for
women with children, and the provision of communal needs have already
been discussed, and could possibly be addressed, if funding were secured.
4
D. Section 8 Assistance/SRO
To our knowledge, there are no moderate rehab SROs in Dade County. The
Miami Beach Housing Authority has an extensive waiting list of applicants
for its Section-8 certificates/vouchers. Although Miami Beach is currently
undertaking a concentrated code enforcement effort to investigate, close,
and rehabilitate all units that are unsuitable for human habitation, the
number of Section- 8 units that are ready to be occupied by tenants does not
meet the demand, nor are there sufficient Section 8 certificates/vouchers
available.
Also, the closing of unsafe structures which do not meet building code
requirements limits the residents' access to rent-free or low-cost buildings.
As abandoned buildings are being boarded-up, the homeless must find a new
place to sleep. Men and women of all ages may require emergency shelter
or transient units to refer them to. It should be noted that if the closing of
such unsafe structures is related to a CDBG activity, relocation benefits are
available to eligible persons.
Based on the above, SROs are needed for homeless individuals.
5
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
American Red Cross For Men, Women & Children.
1675 NW 9 Avenue CL, EC, FA, FO, TR
Miami, FL 33136
326-8889
Camillus House For Men.
726 NE 1 Avenue CL, FO, HC
Miami, FL 33101 For Women & Children
374-1065 CC, CL, EC, FO, HC
Crisis Nursery For Children.
3203 SW 29 Street CC, CL, EC, FO, HC
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
446-5071
Haitian American Community For Men, Women & Children.
Association FO, HC, CC
8037 NE 2 Avenue
Miami, FL 33138
No telephone
Hialeah Housing Authority For Men, Women & Children.
70 E 7 Street FA
Hialeah, FL 33010
888-9744
Miami City Mission For Men.
1112 N. Miami Avenue FO, CL
Miami, FL 33138
371-3124
Miami Mission Assoc. , Inc. For Women & Children
2250 NW 1 Avenue CC, CL, EM, RO, TR
Miami, FL 33127
573-4390
Miami Rescue Mission For Men.
2020 NW 1 Avenue CL, EM, FO, HC, TR
Miami, FL 33127
573-4390
6
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Salvation Army For Men.
Men's Lodge FO, CL, TR, EM, FA
250 NW South River Drive
Miami, FL 33135
643-4900
Salvation Army For Women & Children.
Women in Distress FO, CL, TR, EM, FA
1398 SW 1 Street
Miami, FL 3315
643-4902
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Centro Campesino For Men, Women & Children.
Farmworker Center FO, EM
Florida City
245-4202
Dade County Emergency Housing For Men, Women & Children.
2301 NW 54 Street FA
Miami, FL
638-6001
Jewish Family Services For Men, Women & Children.
1790 NW 9 Avenue FA
Miami, FL
445-0555
7
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Miami Bridge For Runaway Teenagers.
1145 NW 14 Street CL, FO, HC
Miami, FL
324-8953
Mother Theresa ' s For Women & Children.
724 NW 17 Street CC, CL, FO, HC
Miami, FL
545-5699 or
326-0032
New Horizon Community For Mentally I l l Men, Women
Mental Health Center Children.
1469 NW 36 Street FO, CL, TR, HC, EC
Miami, FL
635-0366
PERMANENT HOUSING FOR HANDICAPPED
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Delta House For Men and Women.
2216 Park Avenue FO, HC
Miami Beach, FL
No telephone
8
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Catholic Family Services For Men, Women & Children.
9990 NE 2 Avenue FO, FA
Miami, FL 33138
758-0024
Christian Community Service For Men, Women & Children.
Agency CL, EC, EM, FA, FO, TR
3360 W Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33135
442-4202
City of Miami Beach For Men, Women & Children.
Human Services Section CL, EM, FA, FO,
833 6 Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
673-7456
Community Action Agency For Men, Women & Children.
833 6 Street FO, FA
Miami Beach, FL 33139
672-1704
Community Health of For Men, Women & Children.
South Dade, Inc. HC
10300 SW 216 Street
Miami, FL 33190
253-5100
Dade County Office of For Men, Women & Children.
Emergency Assistance FA
1128 6 Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
531-0446
9
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Douglas Gardens Community For Men, Women & Children.
Mental Center HC
1007 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL
531-5341
First United Methodist Church For Men, Women & Children.
400 Biscayne Boulevard CL, FA, FO
Miami, FL 33132
371-4706
Lutheran Ministries of Florida For Men, Women & Children.
225 Second Street EM
Miami Beach, FL 33139
674-8111
Mental Health Association For Women.
of Dade County CL, FA
800 Brickell Plaza
Miami, FL 33143
Metro-Dade Department of For Men, Women & Children.
Human Resources CL, EC, EM, FA, FO, TR
111 NW 1 Street
Miami, FL
375-2193
Miami Beach Assistance Program For Men, Women & Children.
833 6 Street EM
Miami Beach, FL 33139
673-7456
Miami Beach Housing Authority For Men, Women & Children.
200 Alton Road FA
Miami Beach, FL 33139
532-6401
10
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Miami Mental Health Center For Men and Women.
2141 SW 1 Street EC
Miami, FL 33135
643-1600
Northwest Dade Center, Inc. For Men, Women & Children.
1840 W 49 Street HC (Mental Health)
Hialeah, FL
825-0300
North Miami Community For Men and Women.
Mental Health Center EC (Psychiatric)
9400 NW 12 Avenue
Miami, FL 3310-2024
691-0091
Pierre Toussaint Haitian For Men, Women & Children.
Catholic Center CL, EM, FA, FO
110 NE 62 Street
Miami, FL 33135
75-6289
Southwest Social Services For Men and Women (over 60
25 Tamiami Boulevard years old) .
Miami, FL 33144 FO, HC, TR
261-6202
11
III. Inventory of Available Facilities and Services Provided
CC - Child Care FA - Financial Assistance
CL - Clothing FO - Food
EC - Emergency Care HC - Health Care
EM - Employment TR - Transportation
SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Agency Name
Address/Phone Number Services Provided
Stanley C. Myers Community For Men, Women & Children.
Health Center HC
710 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
538-8835
Switchboard of Miami For Men, Women & Children.
35 SW 8 Street (Hotline for crisis Miami,
FL 33130 instruction)
358-1640
Help Phone: 358-HELP
12
IV. Strategy to Match Needs with Available Services and Facilities
As evidenced from the information available, the homeless population in Miami Beach
has increased in recent years, while the services provided for that segment of the
population have not. It is estimated that there are 200-400 homeless people in Miami
Beach, most of whom need food, clothing, health care, temporary/permanent shelter
and employment training. Currently, many of these services are provided in the Miami
area, which necessitates transporting individuals. It also neglects those homeless who
are unable to use transportation to reach these services. Thus, a strategy to match
the needs with available services necessitates close coordination and a system of
information and referral to other agencies for services that the City of Miami Beach
cannot provide.
Since Miami Beach does have a large population of elderly, there are services provided
in the City for them. These include kosher, and non-kosher, congregate meal sites;
health care at the Stanley C. Myers Community Health Center, adult day care at the
Jewish Community Center and transportation passes to doctor appointments, et
cetera. The City works closely with these agencies, and other social service agencies,
to "network", and will continue to refer clients for services.
The young, single-parent families make up the newer segment of the population.
Agencies such as HRS, Job Service of Florida and the Veterans Administration have
attempted to provide satellite services for Miami Beach residents; however, housing
needs must still be addressed in the Dade County area through agencies such as Dade
County Emergency Housing, Jewish Family Services, YMCA and the Miami Rescue
Mission or Miami Mission Association. Even these agencies are unable to provide for
the large numbers of homeless, especially for the needs of women with children and
the mentally ill. The City will coordinate and "network" with these agencies.
The Miami Beach Police Department has reported an increase in the number of
homeless individuals it has encountered who are in need of some form of psychological
treatment. This increase can be attributed partly to the influx of Mariel refugees,
along with a state and nationwide policy of de-institutionalizing the mentally ill,
often with no follow-up services. Douglas Gardens Mental Health Center provides
treatment and counseling for the mentally ill. It is our understanding that the client
caseload at Douglas Gardens is such that the organization is unable to accommodate
new clients. Therefore, the demand for services exceeds the available resources.
Also, Douglas Gardens is not a residental care facility with beds for the mentally ill.
All services are out-patient services. The City currently works closely with Douglas
Gardens and will continue to do so; i.e., referrals, etc. The Police Department and
the Human Services Section that is located at the South Shore Community Center are
the segments of local government in Miami Beach that have the initial contact with
the homeless, and both have indicated that they would like to see more alternatives to
assist these homeless individuals.
The City of Miami Beach South Shore Community Center will continue to provide
support social services through other agencies to eligible individuals in the form of
food, clothing, temporary shelter, medication/prosthetic devices, etc. to eligible
individuals depending on the availability of funds. In addition, if the City cannot
provide a specific service, referrals are made to all appropriate agencies.
13
V. How Federal Assistance Will Complement and Enhance Available Services and
Facilities
The City of Miami Beach has encountered an influx of refugees and immigrants during
recent years that has increased the population and altered its demographic makeup.
Because in the past Miami Beach has been geared for tourist accommodations, much of
the housing stock is made up of hotels. This attracts many of the homeless because of
the numerous opportunites to pay rent by the day, orto illegally occupy many of the
boarded-up buildings that have been closed through stringent code enforcement efforts
to upgrade the housing stock in Miami Beach.
Currently, there are no shelters for the homeless in the City, which necessitates
transporting approximately 200 to 400 people a year to shelters in other parts of Dade
County. Dade County is also unable to accommodate the numerous homeless in its
area. Also, Miami Beach does not have any type of transitional housing available.
Miami Beach was able to combine it funding for FY '87 with Dade County's allocation
to rehabilitate the Miami Mission Association's facility that houses homeless women
and children. An additional allocation would allow the City to assist the shelter with
its operating costs and possibly pay for transportation of the Miami Beach homeless to
the Miami Mission shelter. Since the City's allocation is insufficient to acquire and
rehabilitate property on Miami Beach for this use, it may be more appropriate for the
funding to be used to prevent homelessness, i.e. paying one month's rent for a family
who has received an eviction notice. Even in this case, the allocation would not last
very long, based on the City's experience with programs of this type that were
previously funded by state grants.
There is a portion of the City's homeless that are handicapped and need special
services. Federal funding would enable the City to potentially provide housing at
ACLFs or nursing homes that are equipped to meet these needs, and to open additional
slots in training programs providing educational and vocational training to mentally
retarded adults.
There are many social service agencies within Miami Beach that are attempting to
meet the needs of the homeless with limited resources, funding and staff. The infusion
of federal funds would allow for an expansion of these services and, thus, would enable
the agencies to locate the homeless population so that they may receive essential
services. For example, a community health center has become aware that there are
many homeless who have developed diseases such as tuberculosis due to lack of
cleanliness, poor sleeping habits and insufficient diet. Before the spread of diseases
such as this can be stopped, the homeless must be located and identified. The health
center feels that a mobile health van, that could be taken to places where the
homeless congregate, would be extremely beneficial. Funding could also be used to
hire additional caseworkers at Douglas Gardens Mental Health Center, since many
homeless individuals are also mentally ill. The other social service providers in Miami
Beach, or who serve Miami Beach, could expand their services, if additional funds were
available. Additional social workers are needed to provide supplemental services such
as: job training, clothing and transportation referrals, and counseling.
The waiting list for individuals who are eligible for Section-8 assisted housing in Miami
Beach continues to grow. The Miami Beach Housing Authority attempts to place the
elderly and handicapped in units on a priority basis, but this sector of the population
has grown so quickly that units are not even available for this group alone.
14
As an example of providing additional housing assistance, federal funding could be used
to rehabilitate one of the vacant buildings in the Dade County area and offer Section-8
certificates/vouchers as part of the "package." There are ongoing efforts to attract
investors to the area and ensure occupancy of the buildings they rehabilitate by
offering Section-8 vouchers/certificates as part of the package. Since the City is able
to use only a limited portion of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for
this purpose, additional funding from other sources could mean the availability of
many more rental housing units.
Any additional funding for all components/activities to assist the homeless will greatly
enhance the existing available services within the jurisdiction, as well as the potential
to provide new services either in Miami Beach, or at regional facilities that will serve
the entire county, of which Miami Beach is a part.
15
VI. CONTACT PERSON FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO CHAP
Rob W. Parkins (305) 673-7010
City Manager
Shirley Taylor-Prakelt (305) 673-7260
Assistant Director
Economic and Community Development Department
16
VII. CERTIFICATION AND ASSURANCE
TO ACCOMPANY
COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESS ASSITANCE PLANS
I, Rob W. Parkins, City Manager, of the City of Miami Beach
hereby make the following certification and assurance to
accompany the Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan with respect
to the execution of responsibilities asigned to the City of Miami
Beach by the Stewart B. Mckinney Homeless Assistance Act, as
amended:
1) I certify that an information copy
of the City's Comprehensive Homeless Assistance
Plan has been provided to the State of Florida;
and
2) I assure that the City and each
recipient and project sponsor conducting
activities , funded in whole or in part with
McKinney Act funds , to assist the homeless
population in this jurisdiction, will administer,
in good faith, a policy designed to ensure that
the assisted homeless facility is free from the
illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs
or alcohol by its beneficiaries.
City Manager
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Date
17
VIII. CHAP SOURCES/RESEARCH DATA
"An Analysis of the At-Risk Population in the City of Miami Beach" - City of Miami
Beach Department of Community Affaits and Human Services, July 1982.
"The Beach Profile" - United Way of Dade County, Community Development Division,
1986/87.
1980 Census for all demographics.
Murray Gilman, Executive Director, Miami Beach Housing Authority, 9/25/87 and
9/28/87.
Dan Brady, Director, Douglas Gardens Mental Health Center, 9/25/87.
Dr. Jacobs, Miami Rescue Mission.
Beverly Press, Stanley C. Myers Community Health Center.
Chief Guasto, Miami Beach Police Department.
Chief Glassman, Miami Beach Police Department, 9/28/87.
City of Miami Beach Police Department, 1/23/89
Father Paul, Camillus House.
"Resident Motivational Survey: The New Miami Beach Resident" - City of Miami
Beach Department of Economic and Community Development, September 1988.
18
ORIGINAL
RESOLUTION NO. 89-19522
(Authorizing the submission of the up date(:
comprehensive homeless assistance plan
(CHAP) to the U.S. Department of Housing
ment (HUD) , �
and Urban Development� pursuant to
Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Home-
less Assistance Act, PL 100-77 (7/22/87)
and Section 485 of the Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of
1988, PL 100-628, and designating the City
Manager as the authorized forsigntor sub-
mission
pub
mission of such document)