As Florida gears up to implement a statewide ban on public camping and sleeping, Miami-Dade County, the #1 homeless Continuum of Care in America, finds itself grappling with the urgent need to provide more housing for its homeless population. In a pivotal move, the Miami-Dade County Commissioners have voted to approve the Homeless Trust’s acquisition of a Cutler Bay hotel, which will be converted into an apartment-style permanent supportive housing complex for homeless seniors. This decision comes amidst a looming deadline imposed by a new State Law involving public camping.
The Looming State Ban
The impending outdoor camping ban is set to take effect on October 1, placing added pressure on cities and counties across the state. The law prohibits individuals from sleeping or camping in public spaces, and failure to comply could result in arrest. Beginning January 1, 2025, civil lawsuits for failure to abide by Florida’s new law will also go into effect. This measure has raised concerns about the welfare of homeless individuals, particularly those who lack access to shelter or other essential resources.
“The homeless crisis is deepening, particularly when we look at aging adults,” said Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who was the Commission sponsor of the issue
Miami-Dade’s Response
In an effort to address the growing pressure, Miami-Dade County commissioners approved the Homeless Trust’s plan to convert a La Quinta hotel in Cutler Bay. The proposed project would provide approximately 107 units of affordable housing for up to 140 individuals aged 55 and older.
The Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, a County entity tasked with addressing and overseeing homelessness, has been working to secure the property for $14 million. While Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, who represents the Cutler Bay area, remained vociferously opposed to the project, noting the importance of providing stable and permanent housing to low-income homeless seniors, stating that “I do not, cannot and will not” support the measure.
Division and Debate
While the proposed hotel conversion has garnered support from a super majority of the Commissioners, it has also faced opposition from some local residents and Cutler Bay elected officials. Concerns have been raised about the property’s location near a proposed Southland Mall development. Critics argue that the hotel is overpriced and that there are more suitable options available.
“It’s on land we’d like to develop,” Cutler Bay Town Manager Rafael Casals told the Miami Herald.
Meanwhile, Cohen Higgins focused on La Quinta’s price tag, questioning the discrepancy that although the Homeless Trust has agreed to purchase the property for $14 million, four appraisals have valued it at just under $10 million and asserted that better, more affordable options are possible.
Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book told the Herald after the meeting, “We’re paying above the appraised value; we certainly don’t hide that, but such price has been explained and justified.” An example is unavoidable franchise buyout fees that need to be paid to La Quinta corporate, and costs of rebooking rooms for the hotel’s would-be guests made in the future costs added up.
“There is a lack of housing availability, and we don’t have the time or the money to build our way out of that problem,” Book said. Adding, “There isn’t another location in the county that works from a size, capacity, and cost perspective. We searched long and hard.”
Speaking outside the commission chambers, Jose de la Torre, a 62-year-old chef who found himself sleeping on the streets after running into health troubles last year, pointed to his blue shirt, which dozens of the measure’s backers wore to the meeting, de la Torre smiled saying that he hoped the county would approve the hotel purchase. He has since found his way into a shelter but noted that proposals like the La Quinta project would offer people like him more reliable housing.
“I would be a good neighbor,” Jose de la Torre said.
A Ray of Hope for Homeless Seniors
Despite the challenges and opposition, the proposed hotel conversion offers hope for homeless seniors in Miami-Dade County. For individuals like Jose de la Torre, who has experienced homelessness firsthand, such projects can provide a much-needed lifeline.
As the County continues to navigate the complexities of the homeless crisis, the decision to convert the hotel into affordable housing is a significant step toward addressing the needs of one of its most vulnerable populations. As Florida prepares to implement the statewide ban on public camping and sleeping, Miami-Dade County is taking proactive measures to address the growing homeless crisis.
The proposed conversion of the Cutler Bay La Quinta hotel into a housing complex for homeless seniors represents a significant step towards providing much-needed shelter and support for this vulnerable population. While the project has faced opposition, it offers a potential solution to a pressing social issue.
