LTC 432-2024 Tenant Defense Project Quarterly Update #2MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC#
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner ~n~M;;b~Commission
Eric T.Carpenter,City Manager _CU
September 27,2024
Tenant Defense Project Quarterly Update #2
This purpose of this Letter to the Commission (LTC)is to provide the Finance and Economic Resiliency
Committee (FERC)with an update on the services offered by Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.("Legal
Services")for the Tenant Defense Program funded by HOME-ARP in the amount of $183,801.This LTC is
in response to FERC's request for quarterly updates at the February 23,2024 Committee meeting.This LTC
will be provided quarterly until the completion of the project on March 31,2025.On June 5,2024,the first
quarterly update was published via LTC#229-2024.
Legal Services is contracted to assist qualifying low-and moderate-income residents with legal issues
related to tenant rights.This includes handling evictions,ensuring landlords make necessary repairs,
addressing 60-day notices before rent increases,and managing situations where landlords refuse to cover
temporary housing costs if a tenant's unit becomes unsafe and uninhabitable.Legal Services offers weekly
appointments at the Office of Housing and Community Services walk-in center,located at 765 17th Street.
Additionally,the Office of Housing and Community Services staff helps residents schedule appointments for
housing issues.Walk-in clients are also accommodated on Thursdays,subject to availability.
On June 6,2024,a second amendment to the agreement was signed.This amendment approved a budget
increase and extended the project timeline to March 31, 2025.
From June 2024-August 2024,the Administration referred two (2)clients to Legal Services on their partner
portal,scheduled thirty-five (35)appointments,and directed thirteen (13) residents seeking walk-in
appointments.During this timeframe,Legal Services has opened twenty-three (23)cases,provided
information and referrals to eighteen (18)clients,and closed thirteen (13)cases.
Legal Services of Greater Miami-Miami Beach Tenant Defense Project
HOME-ARP Service Aqreement Amount $183,801.00
Remaining Balance $66,924.45
June 2024-August 2024 Service Type Total Program To Date
CMB Online Referral via Partner Portal 2 48
Scheduled Appointments 35 232
Clients Attending Appointments 16 122
Walk-in Clients 13 72
Self-Referred Clients 16 50
Cases Opened 23 146
Closed Cases 13 130
Referral Pending Service 2 19
Information & Referral 18 99
For more information,please contact Alba Tarre,Department Director at AlbaTarre@miamibeachfl.gov.&.,
432-2024