HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Christopher Rose DATE: Friday, September 20, FILE:
Director, Budget 2019
SUBJECT: Lotus House Funding 2019
FROM: Milton Vickers REFERENCES:
Director
Department of Human Services
The Department of Human Services is requesting the authorization to execute an agreement with Lotus House, Sundari
Foundation, Inc., a Florida not for profit corporation, to establish the City of Miami Shelter and Transitional Housing
Program including the provision of beds and meals for homeless families in the City of Miami. According to the federal
government code, in Title 42, Chapter 119, sub chapter I, §11302, homeless is defined as:
• an individual/family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and an individual who
has a primary nighttime residence that is —
a supervised publicly or privately -operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations
(including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill);
an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals/families intended to be
institutionalized; or
a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for
human beings.
In layman's term, homelessness is a condition in which individuals and families have no residence, owned, leased or shared
in which they can live safely, healthful and legally both day and night and in which they can meet their social and basic
needs in privacy and with dignity.
The City of Miami is requesting the authorization of $100,000:
• The City of Miami, in 2018, provided $35,000 in funds to provide for food and meal expenses for women, youth
and children experiencing homeless in the City of Miami. Lotus House is requesting $25,000 in funding to provide
for food and meals expenses for women, youth and children within the City of Miami experiencing homelessness.
This is a continuation of the existing program. We are reducing the continuation by $10,000 but adding the below
program to assist City of Miami women and families.
• We are requesting to authorize an additional $75,000 to include the provision of beds in Lotus House. This funding
is not to be used for individuals currently placed in existing beds. Beginning October 1, 2019, Veterans Affairs and
Homeless Services ("Green Shirts") will place families at Lotus House. These beds will only apply to families
residing in the City of Miami via placement by City of Miami Green Shirts. The placements are also limited to those
experiencing homelessness, not domestic violence. City of Miami will reimburse Lotus House at the amount of
$23.36 per bed for up to 60 days. After the families stay at Lotus House (up to 60 days), Lotus House will assist in
placing individuals and families in transitional or permanent housing. Lotus House will provide wrap -around
services for those families. Placing families in transitional or permanent housing will free up additional space in
Lotus House.
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This agreement should allow the Miami Dade Homeless Trust to reduce funding for the existing Hotel/Motel Program.
The City of Miami's Department of Human Services will discuss an Emergency Housing Program with the Miami Dade
Homeless Trust utilizing an amount not to exceed $75,000.
Lotus House serves high special needs homeless women, youth and children in Miami -Dade: 74% are Black; 22% Latina
and 4% White/Other; ages 0-80's. 98% have significant urgent/unmet medical/mental health conditions, 95% are trauma
survivors, 15% are 55+ and 21.6% have complex medical needs. Over 80% of those served are successfully placed in
housing outside the shelter system.
This agreement will better equip the City to continue providing this valuable service to homeless families. We look forward
to a successful year and the implementation of this partnership. Should you require additional information, please feel
free to contact me5-416-1091
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APPRO IZ 11
Christopher Rose, Director, Office of Management a d B dget
CC. Joe Napoli, Deputy City Manager
Fernando Casamayor, Assistant City Manager
William Porro, Assistant Director, Department of Human Services
Serio Torres, Assistant Director, Department of Human Services
Aniska Elliot, Budget Analyst, Office of Management and Budget
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