HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit ACity of Miami
HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP)
Allocation Plan — DRAFT
Draft #1 Issued: October 27, 2022
Draft #2 Issued: Wednesday, December 28, 2022
All comments related to this draft can be e-mailed to communitydevelopment@miamigov.com , faxed to 305-416-
2090, or mailed to: City of Miami, Dept. of Housing & Community Development, ATTN: George Mensah, 14 NE 1
Ave., Second Floor, Miami, FL 33132. All comments submitted must include the first/last name, mailing address,
and contact information (email or phone) of the commenter.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to access this document, including language assistance, should contact
communitydevelopment@miamigov.com or call 305.416.2080.
1
HOME -ARP Allocation Plan Template with Guidance
Instructions: All guidance in this template, including questions and tables, reflect
requirements for the HOME -ARP allocation plan, as described in Notice CPD-21-10:
Requirements of the Use of Funds in the HOME American Rescue Plan Program, unless noted
as optional. As the requirements highlighted in this template are not exhaustive, please refer to
the Notice for a full description of the allocation plan requirements as well as instructions for
submitting the plan, the SF-424, SF-424B, SF-424D, and the certifications.
References to "the ARP" mean the HOME -ARP statute at section 3205 of the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2).
Consultation
In accordance with Section V.A of the Notice (page 13), before developing its HOME -ARP
allocation plan, at a minimum, a PJ must consult with:
• CoC(s) serving the jurisdiction's geographic area,
• homeless service providers,
• domestic violence service providers,
• veterans' groups,
• public housing agencies (PHAs),
• public agencies that address the needs of the qualifying populations, and
• public or private organizations that address fair housing, civil rights, and the needs of
persons with disabilities.
State PJs are not required to consult with every PHA or CoC within the state's boundaries;
however, local PJs must consult with all PHAs (including statewide or regional PHAs) and CoCs
serving the jurisdiction.
Template:
Describe the consultation process including methods used and dates of consultation:
This HOME -ARP allocation plan was prepared in consultation with agencies whose clientele includes the
HOME -ARP qualifying populations (QPs).
• Homeless populations, 24 CFR 91.5 (1), (2), (3)
• At risk of homelessness, 24 CFR 91.5
• Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human
trafficking
• Other populations who do not qualify under any of the populations above but meet one of the
following criteria:
2
- families requiring services or housing assistance or to prevent homelessness
- those at greatest risk of housing instability
NOTE: Although not a separate QP, veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet
one of the preceding criteria qualify.
The City of Miami Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) would be administering
the funds which amount to a total of $12,720,427. A list of organizations consulted to date by HCD is noted
below. An initial virtual consultation session was hosted on March 1, 2022, for the largest agencies serving
homeless needs. The Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust, which serves as the area's Continuum of Care
(CoC), was included. Subsequently, the City contacted other agencies via phone and/or e-mail to further
gather their input/comments on the needs of their qualifying populations and to gather feedback on the QP's
needs. An electronic survey was widely distributed to local agencies and organizations that work with
people experiencing homelessness, people fleeing domestic violence, justice -involved individuals,
veterans, people with low incomes, and other qualifying populations.
List the organizations consulted:
Agency/Org
Consulted
Type of
Agency/Org
Method of
Consultation Feedback
Homeless
Trust/Continuum of Care Agency
(CoC)
Miami -Dade County
Public Housing &
Community Development
Dept. (PHA)
City of Miami Homeless
Program Administrator,
Dept. of Human Services
Carrfour Supportive
Housing
Camillus House
CoC, Quasi -County
Teams meeting/e-
mails
County Department and Phone call; e-mail
Public Housing provider
City Dept., homeless
service provider
Non-profit, supportive
housing provider
Non-profit
Phone call; Survey.
Teams meeting
Teams meeting
3
Would like to see funding prioritized for
the homeless, for rehousing and adding
units to the pipeline. Questioned if
partners knew of existent properties that
could be rehabbed, Mentioned the
consideration of HOME ARP acquisition
and/or start-up supportive services
funding in project for the homeless at an
outside -of -City location. At least two
possible locations have been identified.
CoC also submitted letter to Mayor/City
Manager in March 2022. CoC issued
letter (via email) to HCD Director George
Mensah dated Nov. 10, 2022, referencing
potential sites for HOME -ARP investment
prioritizing the homeless.
Discussed how they would be
implementing their HOME -ARP allocation
including acquisition of a location for up
to 120 seniors/vulnerable households in
North Miami as bridge permanent
housing. No preference identified.
Lack of affordable housing and shelter
units. Priority needs of affordable
housing development and rental
assistance.
They have a site within City limits (Little
Haiti area) for future supportive housing;
could it be part of a larger development?
Set aside ELI units in tax credits are often
unattainable for persons in the CoC due
to tenant qualifications.
Chapman Partnership
Non-profit Survey
Citrus Health
Hope Inc. (FHIP)
Non-profit
Teams meeting;
Survey
Domestic Violence
Oversight Board, Miami -
Dade County
Special Projects
Administrator at Miami -
Dade Police Department
& Task Force Coordinator
for the South Florida
Human Trafficking Task
Force
Miami -Dade County —
Commission on Disability
Issues
Sundari Foundation, dba
Lotus House
Advocate Program, Inc.
South Florida Behavioral
Health Network
The Salvation Army
Non-profit
County Advisory Board
Teams meeting
Phone call; email
Lack of available quality affordable
housing and living wages. Priority needs
of affordable housing development and
supportive services.
Look at one -size -fits -all qualifications for
tenancy in tax credits for 30% AMI and
below HH; there is a need for lowering
barriers to rental housing entry. Priority
needs of more rental assistance and the
need for affordable housing
development given the lack of the latter.
Keep service dollars in mind.
Attended but provided no comments.
Provided email information for members
so that surveys could be issued. Also
provided Gap document (data).
County Dept.
E-mail
Provided data that has been integrated
into the plan.
County Advisory Board
Non-profit
Non-profit
Non-profit
Survey
Survey
Survey
Survey
No response.
Priority needs of supportive services and
rental assistance for families on a very
limited income.
Need for affordable housing and shelter
placement given the increase in families
becoming homeless. Living wage also an
issue. Priority needs of affordable
housing development and rental
assistance.
Addressing convicted felons who are
homeless. Priority needs of acquisition/
development of non -congregate shelter
units and supportive services.
Non-profit
Survey
Main need is not enough affordable
housing for the low-income HH in Miami -
Dade County. Priority needs of affordable
housing development and supportive
services.
Summarize feedback received and results of upfront consultation with these entities:
The agencies listed provided the City with distinct feedback and responses, noted in the chart above,
lending insight on how they believe they can better serve the qualifying population(s) whom they work
with. Overall, the lack of affordable housing for the low and extremely low income was the most
prevalent, consistent mention.
4
Public Participation
In accordance with Section V.B of the Notice (page 13), PJs must provide for and encourage
citizen participation in the development of the HOME -ARP allocation plan. Before submission
of the plan, PJs must provide residents with reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment on
the proposed HOME -ARP allocation plan of no less than 15 calendar days. The PJ must
follow its adopted requirements for "reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment" for plan
amendments in its current citizen participation plan. In addition, PJs must hold at least one
public hearing during the development of the HOME -ARP allocation plan and prior to
submission.
PJs are required to make the following information available to the public:
• The amount of HOME -ARP the PJ will receive, and
• The range of activities the PJ may undertake.
Throughout the HOME -ARP allocation plan public participation process, the PJ must follow its
applicable fair housing and civil rights requirements and procedures for effective
communication, accessibility, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities and
providing meaningful access to participation by limited English proficient (LEP) residents that
are in its current citizen participation plan as required by 24 CFR 91.105 and 91.115.
Template:
Describe the public participation process, including information about and the dates of the
public comment period and public hearing(s) held during the development of the plan:
• Date(s) of public notice: 10/27/2022
And scheduled to go before City Commission meeting on Jan. 12, 2023
• Public comment period: start date 10/27/2022 end date -11/10/2022
Second draft: 12/28/22-1/12/23
• Date(s) of public hearing: 11/8/2022; Scheduled to go to City commission on January
12, 2023
Describe the public participation process:
The draft HOME -ARP Allocation Plan was made available for public review and comment on October
27, 2022, on both the HCD website at www.miamigov.com/HOME-ARP and in hard copy at the HCD
office. The notice of the public hearing and availability of the draft Allocation Plan was published in The
Miami Herald on 10/27. The public meeting on November 8 took place at City Hall and was broadcast
live online and via the City's Channel 77, a cable channel within City limits. Pursuant to the comments
received from the CoC following that process, the draft Allocation Plan was edited and the second draft
was advertised and made available for public review and comment on Dec. 28, 2022 through Jan 12,
5
2023, with the second public hearing scheduled to take place at the City Commission meeting set for Jan.
12, 2023.
Describe efforts to broaden public participation:
On March 1, HCD held a Teams consultation meeting with several non -profits in the homeless/at risk of
homelessness sector to commence discussion and the data gathering process towards the drafting of the
Allocation Plan. The advertised Public Notice of the draft plan was shared with an email list the
Department had put together of 90+ stakeholders and/or service providers who work with the QPs. HCD
also reached out to them via an e-survey earlier in the Summer of 2022 to request their feedback on needs
and priorities. The data tied to the responses received was noted in the chart above. The DHCD also
created a dedicated web page for the HOME -ARP program.
Summarize the comments and recommendations received through the public participation
process either in writing, or orally at a public hearing:
After the public hearing, the CoC (Homeless Trust) submitted a letter on Nov. 10 as a public comment to
the City's draft Allocation Plan, wherein they request funding assistance to acquire and renovate up to four
potential properties they had identified to serve as temporary and/or permanent housing (Non -Congregate
Shelter) for persons experiencing homelessness. Since receipt of this letter, the HCD has met with the CoC's
representatives to review the specifications of each of the properties referenced in the letter, to understand
if they meet the requirements of HOME -ARP funds. Subsequently, edits were made to the Allocation Plan
and a second draft was issued for a 15-day public comment period on December 28, 2022.
Summarize any comments or recommendations not accepted and state the reasons why:
All comments or recommendations will be accepted and a response to each comment will be provided.
Needs Assessment and Gaps Analysis
In accordance with Section V.C.1 of the Notice (page 14), a PJ must evaluate the size and
demographic composition of all four of the qualifying populations within its boundaries and
assess the unmet needs of each of those populations. If the PJ does not evaluate the needs of one
of the qualifying populations, then the PJ has not completed their Needs Assessment and Gaps
Analysis. In addition, a PJ must identify any gaps within its current shelter and housing
inventory as well as the service delivery system. A PJ should use current data, including point in
time count, housing inventory count, or other data available through CoCs, and consultations
with service providers to quantify the individuals and families in the qualifying populations and
their need for additional housing, shelter, or services.
Template:
OPTIONAL Homeless Needs Inventory and Gap Analysis Table
Homeless
Current Inventory
Homeless Population
Gap Analysis
Family
Adults Only
Vets
Family
HH (at
least 1
child)
Adult
HH
(w/o
child)
Vets
Victims
of DV
Family
Adults Only
# of
Beds
# of
Units
# of
Beds
# of
Units
# of
Beds
# of
Beds
# of
Units
# of
Beds
# of
Units
6
Emergency
Shelter
1076
295
1333
#
0
Transitional
Housing
192
61
392
#
88
Permanent
Supportive
Housing
1481
392
2828
909
Other Permanent
Housing
115
32
207
25
AM
Sheltered
Homeless
1054
1251
105
126
Unsheltered
Homeless
0
970
26
179
Current Gap
Suggested Data Sources:
1.
Point in Time
Count
(PITI
2. Continuum
of
Care Housing
Inventory
Count
0
(HIC):
0
3. Consultation
680
680
Describe the size and demographic composition of qual ying populations within the PJ's
boundaries:
Homeless as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
The 2022 Point -In -Time (PIT) count in the CoC which spans all of Miami -Dade County, was held on
January 27, 2022, and registered a slight (2%) increase in the total count of homeless persons (sheltered
and unsheltered) County -wide from the previous year's Jan. PIT. The 2022 PIT identified 970 persons who
were unsheltered in the County; the majority of those persons (591) were within City of Miami limits,
accounting for a 6% increase of unsheltered persons within City boundaries, from the previous year. The
increase is of concern to City administrators and residents. The City of Miami is the oldest and most
populated municipality within Miami -Dade County which counts with a total of 34 incorporated
municipalities. As such, many homeless services and facilities have historically been in the County's
downtown area, which is within the City of Miami's geographic limits.
The 2022 PIT count identified 2,306 sheltered persons in the County. Of this total, 1,908 persons were
in emergency shelter. Besides this another 382 people were in transitional housing, and 16 were in Safe
Haven. Of the homeless subpopulations in both the sheltered and unsheltered category, the largest is
adults with serious mental health disorders (1,046) and substance use disorders (533).
The CoC's summer census, held on August 18, 2022, noted an increase in the number of homeless with
an estimated 1,140 unsheltered persons and 2,598 sheltered persons reported in the County, an 11
percent increase from the previous Summer Census. When focusing on unsheltered numbers solely within
City of Miami limits from August 2021 (510 persons) to August 2022 (640 persons), there was a 25
percent increase. The Housing Trust (CoC) indicates that homeless numbers tend to swing higher in the
summer months.
At Risk of Homelessness as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
HUD defines those at risk of homelessness as individuals and families who have an income below 30% of
the area median income (AMI), do not have sufficient resources or support networks to prevent them from
becoming homeless, or live with instability (e.g. moving two or more times during the last 60 days due to
economic reasons).
7
The last available Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data spans 2015-2019 and
indicates that close to a third (31.6%) of City of Miami households (56,015) have incomes less than or equal
to 30% HAMFI (HUD Area Median Family Income). The majority of these (just over 80%) are renter
households. With inflation on the rise nationwide and locally, the City's median income is noted at $44,268
(US Census QuickFacts, 2016-2020), which means cost burdened households cannot afford the higher rents
seen within the City and County in 2022, making many of them very vulnerable to housing instability
whereby saving money for emergencies, weather -related disasters, and/or potential relocation becomes
extremely difficult. According to a more recent report issued by Realtor.com', home rents in the Miami -
Fort Lauderdale -West Palm Beach metro area climbed more than 55% year -over -year as of Feb. 2022,
making it the greatest spike on a national level. This spike adds more stress to lower -income households.
When we analyze the most recent SAGE HMIS Reporting Repository data for a snapshot of those in the
category of families requiring services/housing assistance to prevent homelessness. In the first quarter of
2022 (1-1-22 through 3-31-22), 401 persons were in the City's Hotel/Motel voucher program, 173
persons were in the homeless prevention program, and 179 persons were in the rapid rehousing program.
Adding these numbers up amounts to some 750 persons per quarter that are housed via temporary or
emergency assistance or need additional housing assistance.
In the past several decades, the City of Miami's real estate market has been dynamic, weathering both highs
and lows. According to the latest Annual Rent Report from Zumper, Inc., the largest privately owned rental
platform in North America, the median monthly rent just for a one -bedroom apai tiuent increased by 38.29%
in Miami, to $2,280, over the past year — the highest increase in the country. The national average was
11.6 percent. The 2020 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates indicate that 21.5% of Miami's
total population (442,241) lives in Poverty (S1701) with close to 30% of that population 65 years and over.
Of the total City population, close to 20% have no health insurance. Miami's median income ($44,268) is
also lower than that of Miami -Dade County's ($53,975) and the State of Florida ($57,703).
Fleeing, or Attempting to Flee, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault,
Stalking, or Human Trafficking, as defined by HUD in the Notice
For HOME -ARP, this population includes the categories noted above as well as cases where an individual
or family reasonably believes that there is a threat of imminent harm from further violence due to dangerous
or life -threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member, including a
child, that has either taken place within the individual's or family's primary nighttime residence or has
made the individual or family afraid to return or remain within the same dwelling unit.
In the most recent available reports issued by the Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement (calendar year 2020)
on the state's Uniform Crime Reports on Domestic Violence, data indicates that there were a total of 1,212
total offenses/761 arrests in the City of Miami, and 7,470 total offenses/3,612 arrests County -wide (all of
Miami -Dade County's police agencies).2 Those numbers were lower than the ones logged in calendar year
2019; 1444 offenses/884 arrests in the City of Miami, and 8,160 offenses/4,188 arrests County -wide.
Meanwhile, data indicates that the County's Community Action & Human Services Dept.'s domestic
violence shelters provided services to 1177 program participants since Feb. 2020.
1 February Rental Report: Sun Belt Metros See Highest Rent Growth and Low Affordability - Realtor.com Economic
Research, March 23, 2022
2 https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Documents/Annual/Domestic-Violence/DV_Jurisdiction_Offenses_2020-
(3).aspx
8
Florida ranks third in the U.S. in human trafficking. Human Trafficking (HT) is defined as any act that
involves the recruitment, transportation, harboring, sale, or receipt of persons through coercion, force,
abduction, and/or deception or fraud, for the improperpurpose of placing them in a situation of forced labor,
sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, debt bondage or other slavery -like practice. Locally, these cases
are handled by Police in cooperation with the State Attomey's Office. Miami -Dade County's Coordinated
Victims Assistance Center (aka CVAC) provided the data in the table below indicating the number of HT
victims assisted during the last three calendar years, County -wide. Keep in mind, that only five months of
2022 are reported in the last available report.
OVC Services for Victims of Human Trafficking
Clients Served by Year at CVAC (Miami -Dade County)
Total Number of Human Trafficking Victims Assisted
Trafficking
Type
Year Served
2019
2020
2021
2022(Jan.to
May)
Sex
Trafficking
16
17
30
31
Labor
Trafficking
18
24
22
21
Sex and
Labor
16
21
19
64
Total Clients
Assisted
50
62
71
116
• Data obtained from TIMS
Other populations requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness and
other populations at greatest risk of housing instability, as defined by HUD in the Notice
As per issued guidance, the "Other populations" QP is for those persons who do not qualify under any
of the other QPs but meet one of following criteria:
- (1) families requiring Services or Housing Assistance or to Prevent Homelessness
Households (i.e., individuals and families) who:
• have previously been qualified as "homeless" as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
• are currently housed due to temporary or emergency assistance, including financial assistance,
services, temporary rental assistance or some type of other assistance to allow the household to be
housed, and
• need additional housing assistance or supportive services to avoid a return to homelessness
- (2) those at Greatest Risk of Housing Instability means a household that has:
• Annual income < 30% of area median income and is experiencing severe cost burden (i.e., is paying
more than 50% of monthly household income toward housing costs); OR
• Annual income < 50% of area median income and meets one of the conditions in paragraph (iii) of
"At risk of homelessness" definition at 24CFR91.5
When taking the definitions provided for this QP, there would seem to be a potential overlap between this
category and that of the At Risk of Homelessness category. When looking to the CHAS data (2015-2019
9
ACS), estimates indicate that 33,970 households with annual incomes of 30% of AMI or below, inclusive
of both the owner and renter categories, are experiencing severe cost burden (more than 50% of monthly
income towards housing costs). For reference, the CHAS reports a total of 176,775 households.
When looking at the SAGE HMIS Reporting Repository data for a snapshot of those in the category of
families requiring services/housing assistance to prevent homelessness. In the first quarter of 2022 (1-1-
22 through 3-31-22), 401 persons were in the City's Hotel/Motel voucher program, 173 persons were in
the homeless prevention program, and 179 persons were in the rapid rehousing program. Adding these
numbers up amounts to some 750 persons per quarter that are housed via temporary or emergency
assistance or need additional housing assistance.
Veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet the criteria for one of the qualifying
populations described as at Greatest Risk of Housing Instability above are also eligible to receive HOME -
ARP assistance. At the time of the Jan. 2022 PIT Count there were 131 veterans, 26 unsheltered and 105
sheltered. The majority of veterans (120) were males and Non -Hispanic (108). Data indicates that 29
veterans were considered chronically homeless, when looking to both the sheltered/unsheltered categories.
Identify and consider the current resources available to assist qualifying populations,
including congregate and non -congregate shelter units, supportive services, TBRA, and
affordable and permanent supportive rental housing (Optional):
Recent CARES Act allocations for the City of Miami were used to assist some of the QPs. In April 2021,
the City awarded just over $5 million in ESG-CV funding to Camillus House to provide rapid rehousing
and homeless prevention activities to qualifying City residents. As of the Summer of 2022, those funds
were fully committed. A one-time CARES Act allocations under the Housing Opportunities for Persons
With AIDS (HOPWA-CV) was allocated to provide temporary rental assistance to persons with HIV/AIDS
via the STRMU (Short-term Rental Mortgage and Utility Assistance) program. Finally, ERA1 and ERA2
allocations of just over $30 million via the U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program assisted
over 3,000 rental households who were 80% AMI and below, and financially affected due to, or during, the
pandemic, providing them with rental and utility relief (running from March 2021 through July 2022). The
City closed the ERA program's application period once funds had been exhausted but anticipate a reopening
sometime around Dec. 2022, based on a new allocation of funding.
Typically, the City receives an annual allocation of approximately $450,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant
funding which it awards towards Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re -housing Efforts, along with funding
Street Outreach efforts. Other current resources available to assist qualifying populations in the City of
Miami (as a jurisdiction of Miami -Dade County) are listed below:
Congregate and non -congregate shelter units
The 2021 Housing Inventory Count (HIC) identified 8,686 year-round beds in the CoC, 3,023 in the
Emergency/Safe Haven/Transitional Housing category and 5,665 in the Permanent Housing category. Of
the permanent units 1,086 are specifically for veterans and 108 beds in the transitional category are for
veterans.
Two Miami -Dade County transitional housing programs (Inn Transition South and Inn Transition North)
provide traditional housing, advocacy and supportive services to victims of domestic violence and their
dependents. Another four Miami -Dade County certified domestic violence shelters (Safepace
Empowerment Center, SafeSpace Central, SafeSpace South and Safespace North) provide temporary
emergency shelter, advocacy and support services to victims of domestic violence, and their dependents.
Individuals and Families at Risk of Homelessness
10
Individuals and families at risk of homelessness may need housing assistance which could include eviction
assistance, rent and utility assistance, in addition to other types of supportive services. Households who
need assistance with maintaining or regaining housing to prevent homelessness will benefit from targeted
services. Services that may be needed to assist individual and families at risk of homelessness include:
• Short-term subsidies — Besides the City of Miami ERA program mentioned above, which closed its
application period in July 2022, the City also provides funding to the local, long -running HPRP program
known as HAND that assists homeless prevention and rapid rehousing qualifying candidates. The latter
program is also funded by Miami -Dade County which also operates its own voucher and mod -rehab
programs.
• Mortgage assistance - the HOPWA funded Short-term Rental, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance
(STRMU) Program is administered by HCD and provides mortgage assistance or temporary rental
assistance to income -eligible households who are 80% AMI and include a member who is HIV+ in the
County. In March 2022 the State of Florida launched the Mortgage Assistance Program known as
Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to aide eligible homeowners (related to a primary residence) with
mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as loss of utilities, home energy
services, and insurance. The HAF program closed on July 31, 2022, due to the exhaustion of funds.
TBRA
The neighboring jurisdictions of Miami -Dade County and the City of Miami Beach were awarded close to
500 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) for families who are homeless, at -risk of homelessness, fleeing,
or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or
were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability. Also, the CoC operates a Permanent
Supportive Housing (PSH) Tenant -Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program which offers long-term rent
subsidy similar to Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to homeless households with disability which are
accessed via the CoC's Coordinated Entry Process in accordance with the CoC's Orders of Priority.
Supportive Services
The CoC (Homeless Trust) has also identified its strategy of continuing to maximize the use of community -
based resources, by collaborating with Head Start, Catholic Legal Services, Veterans Affairs, Faith -Based
Organizations, Managed Care, Greater Miami Legal Services, OIC of South Florida, PACE Centers, Career
Source, Parent to Parent, Advocacy Network on Disabilities. As indicated in the latest update of its
Community Homeless Plan, 2022: Priority Home', the CoC has identified a strategy of funding Food and
Beverage (F&B) tax to fund gaps in support services to leverage new Permanent Supportive Housing.
Back in January of 2022, City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced his Functional Zero Plan with
an ambitious goal of making Miami the first major city in America to reach functional zero for chronic
homelessness. The Functional Zero Plan aims to deploy $3.1 million dollars in federal American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) funds directly to longtime community partners in Miami with a proven track record in
helping the most vulnerable, including Lotus House ($200,000), Camillus House ($2 million), the Chapman
Partnership ($200,000) and the Miami Center for Mental Health & Recovery ($750,000).
According to reports, almost half of the funding has been earmarked for supportive services to continue
partnerships with Miami Dade College and Florida Intemational University to provide on -site workforce
related programming such as culinary arts, hotel maintenance, construction trades and forklift operator
training classes. Some funding will go towards street outreach efforts including an expansion of the
Lazarus/Matt Talbot specialized outreach program that targets the chronic mentally ill homeless and those
with severe and persistent substance abuse issues and placing trained case managers with the regular street
outreach teams to prepare the documentation needed to move homeless people on the street who are shelter-
3 2022-mdc-homeless-plan.pdf (homelesstrust.org)
11
resistant but ready for housing, directly into apaitinents. Finally, around $125,000 will go towards the City
of Miami's Specialized Police Homeless Unit (HEAT team) funding emergency beds to immediately assist
people and provide an immediate alternative to those unhoused, with placement at Camillus.
Functional Zero means that a community has measurably ended homelessness for a given population, and
when homelessness does occur, it's rare and brief. By partnering with multiple community stakeholders,
the City's Functional Zero Plan intends to end chronic homelessness by providing job training
opportunities, identifying housing solutions, and expanding mental health as well as substance abuse
services within the City of Miami. Back in 2018, the Homeless Trust announced that Miami had reached
functional zero for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Street Outreach (SO) is provided to unsheltered homeless persons in the City via the staff of Miami
Homeless Assistance Program (MHAP), a division of the City's Depai l.inent of Human Services. The team
ensures that people sleeping on the streets are prioritized for assistance in the same manner as any other
person assessed through the CoC's Coordinated Entry process. Staff locate, identify, and build relationships
with the unsheltered population to provide immediate support, intervention, and connections with homeless
assistance programs and mainstream social services/and or housing programs. MHAP also assists persons
on the street with obtaining necessary documentation (homeless verification, birth certificates, IDs and
social security cards) and makes referrals to community services and resources. Street Outreach (SO)
includes two specialized behavioral health outreach teams, Camillus House's Lazarus Project and New
Horizon's PATH program. SO workers follow the HMIS workflow, which includes collection of the HMIS
Notices and Disclosure and HMIS Consent to Release and Exchange of Information.
Coordinated Victims Assistance Center (CVAC) - A Miami -Dade County one -stop, non-residential center
for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and human trafficking, the CVAC provides
on -site coordinated services in collaboration with community partners, faith -based organizations,
universities, nonprofit agencies and other govemmental agencies. According to available information, the
CVAC along with five DV Outreach Units in the County and operated via the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of
Florida, extend 38 different services to their clients from including everything from Crisis Counseling to
Domestic Violence Legal Representation, Empowerment/Educational Support Groups, Employability
Services, Filing Criminal Cases/Police Report, etc.
Affordable and permanent supportive rental housing
The City operates a small Housing Choice Voucher program (179), a Moderate Rehabilitation program
(206 units), and the HOPWA L IRA program (800). Available data indicates that within City limits, there
are approximately 178 privately owned buildings (which have received some type of public funding)
offering a total of approximately 14,900 affordable and/or supportive rental units presently in use, for low
to moderate -income persons, in different income categories. These buildings are spread out throughout the
City's five districts. However, given Miami's area median income, and escalating rents in the private sector,
the supply is always short of the demand. The City has limited sources to help fund affordable housing, and
no dedicated revenue source. The largest allocation in recent years has come from the General Obligation
Bonds (GOB), passed by Miami voters in late 2017, and dedicating $100 million to specific affordable
housing efforts. To date, approximately $23 million in bond funds have been allocated towards multi -family
affordable and/or workforce housing, contributing towards 1,300 units in different stages of production.
Although the City continues to look into creative ways to add to the supply, but given existent land costs
and escalating construction costs, development of units for the extremely low income (ELI) has become
more and more difficult.
Meanwhile, according to Miami -Dade County's HOME -ARP Allocation Plan, the CoC operates 5,172 in
Permanent Supportive Housing beds (as of Summer 2022). However, there is a need for more supportive
12
housing pairing deeply affordable housing with tenancy support services for the homeless, and those at risk
of homelessness. According to the recently issued Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) National
Supportive Housing Needs Assessment, Florida's greatest supportive housing needs come from the
elderly/aging, jail, and prison systems. The report does not provide County -specific data.
Describe the unmet housing and service needs of qualifying populations:
To assess the unmet needs of Qualifying Populations, the City looked to available reports and data in order
to be able to identify gaps within the current shelter and housing inventory, as well as the service delivery
system. Data sources referred to for this determination included the City's 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan,
the most recent Comprehensive Housing Affordability Data (CHAS), 2022 Point in Time Count reports
(PIT Count) from Jan. 27, 2022, and August 2022, 2021, CoC Housing Inventory Count (HIC),
supplemented by stakeholder surveys and input.
Homeless as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
The most significant unmet need of those experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness is a
lack of available housing units within the allowable payment standards to move homeless persons into
affordable housing. Besides this, emergency shelters continue to be at capacity with a wait time of three to
four weeks for move in during the past year. Many of those currently experiencing homelessness who have
access to rental assistance through an emergency voucher or the local rapid rehousing pmgram (known as
HAND) still have difficulty finding a unit that is within the allowable payment standards. The same
situation is happening with the Homeless Trust's $11 million voucher pmgram (TBRA) which receives
federal funding. Given the shortage of affordable housing, the program is having difficulty finding landlords
to participate and as of early May 2022, the pmgram had 300 unused vouchers to be paid directly to the
landlords. The last Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust Gaps and Needs Assessment Report on
Homelessness4 is based on the 2022 PIT count data and on data gathered fium 1,344 surveys retumed by
persons experiencing homelessness on their history and needs. The document indicated that the "CoC
solicits additional feedback on gaps and needs through countywide budget meetings, CoC Board meetings
... client satisfaction surveys and feedback received through a survey that is accessible through [their]
website," and that the recurring theme continues to be a lack of affordable housing, "including extremely
low income housing as well as permanent supportive housing for persons with special needs." The
document further indicates that lack of healthcare, mental health care, and employment opportunities are
also recurring themes.
Another unmet need is how to best assist the unsheltered, many of whom are shelter resistant. In September
2021, the City of Miami Commission passed Resolution 21-0372 detailing citywide clean-ups, three times
a week, at "hot spot" locations known to have recurring homeless encampments that had become a public
health concern. In the Summer of 2022, the City Commission adopted Resolution 22-0308, asking the City
Manager to prepare a study to include the costs associated with other options including "tiny home"
transitional housing (50 to 100) for the City's homeless population and to present costs/feasibility of these
other options. While the "tiny homes" concept is on hold for further evaluation, this effort has spurred
conversations with Miami -Dade County and Homeless Trust officials to consider the option of acquiring,
retooling, and rehabbing existing properties for the shelter resistant individual. City leaders have indicated
they want to work with Miami -Dade County to help make more shelter beds available, to identify alternative
sites for temporary housing facilities and to stop releasing people from jail, with no place to go, within
Miami city limits.
At Risk of Homelessness as defined in 24 CFR 91.5
4 2022-miami-dade-gaps-and-needs-report.pdf (homelesstrust.org)
13
The City and County continue to deal with a housing affordability crisis, with a significant unmet need for
affordable housing and quick access to it, which makes the "at risk" household even more vulnerable. Of
the City's 45,600 rental households with incomes at or below 30% AMI, more than half (28,405
households) are extremely cost burdened, spending over 50% of their income on rent. a significant portion
The lack of sufficient income means most of these households cannot afford a rental hike. In their most
recent Countywide Evictions and Foreclosures Quarterly Reports, the County's Office of the Commission
Auditor reported that 4,962 eviction cases were pending, filed on or after March 1, 2020 through June 2022.
The bulk of these cases are residential. When looking further into the eviction case load by zip code, the
data in the report indicated that the third highest number of filed evictions of all County zip codes was
33132 which correlates to the downtown Miami area (189 cases). The report also indicated that fium March
1, 2020 through June 30, 2022, there had been 10,220 writs of possession executed County -wide. It is
difficult to know whether those households that were evicted turned to friends or family, relocated
elsewhere, or turned to the shelter system or other program/services accessible via the CoC's Homeless
Helpline. The report also noted an increase in eviction filings in Jan. through June of 2022, when comparing
this year's numbers to those reported in 2021, on a month -to -month basis.
Fleeing, or Attempting to Flee, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault,
Stalking, or Human Trafficking, as defined by HUD in the Notice
We referred to the Gaps & Needs Report6 issued in May 2020 by the Gaps and Needs Workgroup of the
Miami -Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board to address this QP. The report indicates that the
principal needs include: 1) a single, centralized, hotline and coordinated entry system to ensure maximum
utilization of available resources and access to emergency shelter and supportive services for all DV victims
in accordance with their needs; 2) and addressing the urgent shortage of emergency shelter beds for
domestic violence victims, exacerbating the challenges for victims urgently in need of safety.
The Gaps & Needs Report also goes on to make the connection between victims of domestic violence and
homelessness, indicating that because DV victims are often forced to flee their homes in search of safety,
many leave behind their possessions with children in tow, leading to homelessness. The report indicates
that "from 2013 to August 2019, more than 15,800 Miami -Dade residents who received homeless
emergency shelter and other housing assistance reported fleeing domestic violence." As per the report,
victims in need of shelter are often turned away because of an urgent shortage of shelter beds in domestic
violence centers and the lack of a coordinated entry system that efficiently utilizes the limited resource. As
background, emergency shelters for domestic violence victims previously could only gain certification if
approved by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), which also controlled State
funding for those centers, under the auspices of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The FCADV approval process created a barrier to certification of new domestic violence centers. The
Florida State legislature and Governor adopted new legislation on February 27, 2020, removing the FCADV
from its duties and functions and transferring the same to DCF, including in particular the licensing and
funding of domestic violence centers.
Other populations requiring services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness and other
populations at greatest risk of housing instability as defined by HUD in the Notice
Extremely low-income individuals and households making 30% or less of the area median income, are at
great risk of housing instability or are living in unstable housing situations. A disproportionate number of
these individuals are minorities, elderly, and unaccompanied youth.
5 Eviction Reports (miamidade.gov), Second quarter (2022)
6 Domestic-Violence-Gaps-and-Needs-Report-5.9.20-Final.pdf (lotushouse.org)
14
Identify any gaps within the current shelter and housing inventory as well as the service
delivery system:
Emergency shelters for the homeless, operated by the County, continue to be full to capacity. The average
number of days homeless (for adults only) within the CoC sits at 183 days, with 47 percent of households
in the homeless system exiting to permanent destinations. So sufficient shelter space is lacking, as is
sufficient next step affordable housing to move the households into. The creation of additional emergency
shelter and interim housing could potentially fill some of the gap to strengthen the response system.
The Trust (CoC) has also identified a need to serve elderly homeless persons, given escalating rents and
fairly stable social security assistance amounts. To that end, a portion of the County's HOME -ARP funding
will be used to acquire a facility in the northern part of the County (outside of City limits) for homeless
seniors recovering from COVID-19.
Besides this, in just four months of 2022, Camillus House indicated that 254 families had called the
homeless prevention hotline seeking homeless prevention services, a record number of calls. In the most
recent Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust Gaps and Needs Assessment Report on Homelessness where
by 1,344 surveys were gathered fium persons experiencing homelessness in regard to their history and
needs, an overwhelming majority of those surveyed (75%) identified being in need of the following service:
"Housing Placement. " The same Report also mentions that a recurring theme in CoC discussions on gaps
and needs includes the "lack of affordable housing, ELI Housing, as well as supportive housing for persons
with special needs."
There is a gap in housing inventory for the disabled. Based on the 2016-2020 ACS 5-Year Estimate for the
City of Miami, 11.7% of persons have a disability, with the bulk of that percentage being persons age 65
and over. The County's Commission on Disability Issues identified a need for more housing for persons
with disabilities. There is also a need for more housing and services for victims of human trafficking and
domestic violence.
Under Section IV.4.2.ii.G of the HOME -ARP Notice, a PJ may provide additional
characteristics associated with instability and increased risk of homelessness in their HOME -
ARP allocation plan. These characteristics will further refine the definition of "other
populations" that are "At Greatest Risk of Housing Instability," as established in the HOME -
ARP Notice. If including these characteristics, identify them here:
The City of Miami's last Consolidated Plan (2019-2023), noted that a lack of sufficient income was the
number one factor contributing to homelessness. Those surveyed at the time the CP was filed indicated that
finding true affordable housing, and securing rental assistance were the greatest needs. Miami -Dade
County's low wages, high housing costs and increasingly limited affordable housing options, is creating
substantial housing instability among its residents. In addition, disability, including mental health,
substance abuse disorder, chronic health condition and/or physical disability have an adverse impact on
housing stability.
Identify priority needs for qualifying populations:
Based on analysis of the data sources mentioned and consultation, the standout "need" across all of the QPs
is quick access to affordable housing. People experiencing housing crisis or fleeing an unsafe situation need
to find a place to stay quickly. Given the escalating rents in the City of Miami where close to 70% of
housing units are rentals, locating an affordable unit has become more and more difficult, creating a major
gap that can potentially lead to homelessness. In Florida's private market, landlords can set their rents as
15
they see fit and with reports indicating that some landlords have hiked up rents by up to 100% this year,
this drastic increase is simply unattainable for low income households already grappling with inflation
costs. The priority needs for the qualifying populations include the development of permanent affordable
rental housing (inclusive of new construction and/or rehabilitation), and the need for supportive services
which the City is addressing via other funding sources referenced elsewhere . The development of affordable
rental units with affordability terms, will allow more individuals to transition out of temporary housing and
into permanent housing that takes their household income into consideration.
Explain how the PJ determined the level of need and gaps in the PJ's shelter and housing
inventory and service delivery systems based on the data presented in the plan:
The level of need and gaps was identified using a combination methodology. HCD referred to the Miami -
Dade CoC's most recent 2022 Point -in -Time Count data, the most recent CHAS data, and the most recent
Housing Inventory County (2021) filed with US HUD, while also incorporating discussion with, and
survey feedback from, current providers and stakeholders who work with the QPs. The City also referred
to its Consolidated Plan 2019-2023.
HOME -ARP Activities
Template:
Describe the method(s)that will be used for soliciting applications for funding and/or selecting
developers, service providers, subrecipients and/or contractors:
Due to the specific requirements of HOME -ARP funds implementation, upon the City's receipt of the funds,
HCD will advertise and issue a new Request For Proposals (RFP) specific to the funds tied to the
development of affordable rental housing, and review and score the submissions received. The bid, or bids,
with the highest score(s) will be taken before the City of Miami Commission for their consideration and
final decision. In relation to the site identified as part of the Acquisition and Development of Non -
Congregate Shelter (NCS) activity, the CoC has indicated it would select a subrecipient, via a competitive
Request for Proposal (RFP) process, to manage the property on the CoC's behalf.
Describe whether the PJ will administer eligible activities directly:
The DHCD will not administer eligible activities directly. However, the Department will underwrite and
monitor all HOME -ARP activities for compliance with federal regulations.
If any portion of the PJ's HOME -ARP administrative funds are provided to a subrecipient or
contractor prior to HUD's acceptance of the HOME ARP allocation plan because the
subrecipient or contractor is responsible for the administration of the PJ's entire HOME ARP
grant, identify the subrecipient or contractor and describe its role and responsibilities in
administering all of the PJ's HOME ARP program:
No portion of the HOME -ARP administrative funds have been provided to a sub -recipient or contractor
prior to HUD's acceptance of the HOME -ARP allocation Plan.
In accordance with Section V.C.2. of the Notice (page 4), PJs must indicate the amount of
HOME -ARP funding that is planned for each eligible HOME -ARP activity type and demonstrate
16
that any planned funding for nonprofit organization operating assistance, nonprofit capacity
building, and administrative costs is within HOME -ARP limits.
Template:
Use of HOME -ARP Funding
Funding Amount
Percent of the
Grant
Statutory
Limit
Supportive Services
$ 0
Acquisition and Development of Non -
Congregate Shelters
$ 8,000,000.00
Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
$ 0
Development of Affordable Rental Housing
$ 2,812,362.95
Non -Profit Operating
$ 0
0 %
5%
Non -Profit Capacity Building
$ 0
0 %
5%
Administration and Planning
$ 1,908,064.05
15 %
15%
Total HOME ARP Allocation
$ 12,720,427
Describe how the PJ will distribute HOME ARP funds in accordance with its priority needs
identified in its needs assessment and gap analysis:
The total HOME -ARP allocation is $12,720,427 of which 15% is being set aside by DHCD for planning
and administration costs. Up to $2,812,362.95 in HOME -ARP funds are being recommended for the
development of affordable rental housing for the four qualifying populations as identified in the HOME -
ARP regulation via a future advertised Request For Proposals (RFPs), with submissions that would then be
reviewed and scored based on specific criteria. Those proposals scoring the highest would then be
recommended to the City of Miami Commission for their final decision on projects ready to proceed.. The
remaining $8 million would be allocated towards costs tied to the acquisition and/or development of non -
congregate shelter units (an estimated 100) given that the CoC has identified several potential sites that
could add much needed units to the homeless unit inventory, and thereby address the increase in
homelessness in the CoC.
Describe how the characteristics of the shelter and housing inventory, service delivery system,
and the needs identified in the gap analysis provided a rationale for the plan to fund eligible
activities:
After consultation with the different service providers, the need for more affordable housing open to all
four qualifying populations was the prevailing ask. The gap analysis further reinforced the need for more
affordable housing for vulnerable populations and the need to address the 11% increase in homeless
numbers since the previous year (both sheltered and unsheltered), based on data gathered during the
August 2022 count. The feedback provided by the Continuum of Care and the other service providers was
instrumental to putting together the Allocation Plan. Due to the escalating rental costs seen in the private
market in the City and County, and with few existent legal options to regulate those private rents, there is
more need than ever for viable housing for those on the lower ends of the income spectrum.
HOME -ARP Production Housing Goals
17
Template
Estimate the number of affordable rental housing units for qualifying populations that the PJ
will produce or support with its HOME ARP allocation:
The City estimates that 10 affordable rental housing units can be produced via the HOME -ARP funding
allocation for the QPs. The numbers provided here are a projection and will be subject to change based on
construction/rental costs at the time of development. The City's Department of Housing & Community
Development will endeavor to partner with entities that are able to leverage other resources to meet or
exceed the minimum goal established.
Describe the specific affordable rental housing production goal that the PJ hopes to achieve
and describe how the production goal will address the PJ's priority needs:
The City of Miami's affordable rental housing production goal via the use of HOME -ARP funding is 10
units. This production goal will address the high priority need identified in the City's last Consolidated
Plan 2019-2023, of increasing the affordable housing supply to address the mismatch of household
incomes (low) and housing costs (high) in the City. These units will be open to all qualifying populations
thereby increasing the availability and accessibility of affordable housing. This is especially important
given the loss of many of its historically affordable multi -unit housing structures which have been sold
and/or replaced by newer housing structures with higher rental costs.
Preferences
A preference provides a priority for the selection of applicants who fall into a specific QP or
category (e.g., elderly or persons with disabilities) within a QP (i.e., subpopulation) to receive
assistance. A preference permits an eligible applicant that qualifies for a PJ-adopted preference
to be selected for HOME -ARP assistance before another eligible applicant that does not qualify
for a preference. A method ofprioritization is the process by which a PJ determines how two or
more eligible applicants qualifying for the same or different preferences are selected for HOME -
ARP assistance. For example, in a project with a preference for chronically homeless, all
eligible QP applicants are selected in chronological order for a HOME -ARP rental project except
that eligible QP applicants that qualify for the preference of chronically homeless are selected for
occupancy based on length of time they have been homeless before eligible QP applicants who
do not qualify for the preference of chronically homeless.
Please note that HUD has also described a method of prioritization in other HUD guidance.
Section I.C.4 of Notice CPD-17-01 describes Prioritization in CoC CE as follows:
"Prioritization. In the context of the coordinated entry process, HUD uses the term
"Prioritization" to refer to the coordinated entry -specific process by which all persons in need of
assistance who use coordinated entry are ranked in order of priority. The coordinated entry
prioritization policies are established by the CoC with input from all community stakeholders
and must ensure that ESG projects are able to serve clients in accordance with written standards
that are established under 24 CFR 576.400(e). In addition, the coordinated entry process must,
18
to the maximum extent feasible, ensure that people with more severe service needs and levels of
vulnerability are prioritized for housing and homeless assistance before those with less severe
service needs and lower levels of vulnerability. Regardless of how prioritization decisions are
implemented, the prioritization process must follow the requirements in Section II.B.3. and
Section I.D. of this Notice."
If a PJ is using a CE that has a method of prioritization described in CPD-17-01, then a PJ has
preferences and a method of prioritizing those preferences. These must be described in the
HOME -ARP allocation plan in order to comply with the requirements of Section IV.C.2 (page
10) of the HOME -ARP Notice.
In accordance with Section V.C.4 of the Notice (page 15), the HOME -ARP allocation plan must
identify whether the PJ intends to give a preference to one or more qualifying populations or a
subpopulation within one or more qualifying populations for any eligible activity or project.
• Preferences cannot violate any applicable fair housing, civil rights, and nondiscrimination
requirements, including but not limited to those requirements listed in 24 CFR 5.105(a).
• The PJ must comply with all applicable nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws
and requirements listed in 24 CFR 5.105(a) and any other applicable fair housing and
civil rights laws and requirements when establishing preferences or methods of
prioritization.
While PJs are not required to describe specific projects in its HOME -ARP allocation plan to
which the preferences will apply, the PJ must describe the planned use of any preferences in its
HOME -ARP allocation plan. This requirement also applies if the PJ intends to commit HOME -
ARP funds to projects that will utilize preferences or limitations to comply with restrictive
eligibility requirements of another project funding source. If a PJ fails to describe preferences
or limitations in its plan, it cannot commit HOME -ARP funds to a project that will
implement a preference or limitation until the PJ amends its HOME -ARP allocation plan.
For HOME -ARP rental housing projects, Section VI.B.20.a.iii of the HOME -ARP Notice
(page 36) states that owners may only limit eligibility or give a preference to a particular
qualifying population or segment of the qualifying population if the limitation or
preference is described in the PJ's HOME -ARP allocation plan. Adding a preference or
limitation not previously described in the plan requires a substantial amendment and a public
comment period in accordance with Section V.C.6 of the Notice (page 16).
Template:
Identify whether the PJ intends to give preference to one or more qualifying populations or a
subpopulation within one or more qualifying populations for any eligible activity or project:
Via the Affordable Rental Housing Development activity, the City intends to make the HOME -ARP
funded rental housing available to all qualifying populations as defined in HUD's CPD Notice 21-10 (§
IV.A. Qualifying Populations), including people who are homeless; those at -risk of homelessness; those
fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human
trafficking; individuals for whom provision of supportive services would prevent homelessness or who
19
are at the greatest risk of housing instability; and veterans and their families that meet any of the listed
criteria. Via the Non -Congregate Shelter (NCS) activity, the City will give preference to the Homeless
Population as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11302(a))..
If a preference was identified, explain how the use of a preference or method of prioritization
will address the unmet need or gap in benefits and services received by individuals and
families in the qualifying population or subpopulation of qualifying population, consistent
with the PJ's needs assessment and gap analysis:
Due to the increasing number of unsheltered homeless in the CoC and within City of Miami limits,
compounded by inflation, the housing crisis, and migrant inflow, the CoC indicates that at least one in
five households experiencing homelessness are chronically homeless (disabled and homeless for 365 days
or more). Besides this, the CoC currently has a gap in unit inventory to address the homeless population
and no Non -Congregate Shelter (NCS) units. As such, a HOME -ARP allocation towards an appropriate
NCD site(s) would provide an opportunity to help address the current, serious lack of affordable rental
housing.
Referral Methods
PJs are not required to describe referral methods in the plan. However, if a PJ intends to use a
coordinated entry (CE) process for referrals to a HOME -ARP project or activity, the PJ must
ensure compliance with Section IV.C.2 of the Notice (pagel0).
A PJ may use only the CE for direct referrals to HOME -ARP projects and activities (as opposed
to CE and other referral agencies or a waitlist) if the CE expands to accept all HOME -ARP
qualifying populations and implements the preferences and prioritization established by the PJ in
its HOME -ARP allocation plan. A direct referral is where the CE provides the eligible applicant
directly to the PJ, subrecipient, or owner to receive HOME -ARP TBRA, supportive services,
admittance to a HOME -ARP rental unit, or occupancy of a NCS unit. In comparison, an indirect
referral is where a CE (or other referral source) refers an eligible applicant for placement to a
project or activity waitlist. Eligible applicants are then selected for a HOME -ARP project or
activity from the waitlist.
The PJ must require a project or activity to use CE along with other referral methods (as
provided in Section IV.C.2.ii) or to use only a project/activity waiting list (as provided in Section
IV.C.2.iii) if:
1. the CE does not have a sufficient number of qualifying individuals and families to refer
to the PJ for the project or activity;
2. the CE does not include all HOME -ARP qualifying populations; or,
3. the CE fails to provide access and implement uniform referral processes in situations
where a project's geographic area(s) is broader than the geographic area(s) covered by
the CE
If a PJ uses a CE that prioritizes one or more qualifying populations or segments of qualifying
populations (e.g., prioritizing assistance or units for chronically homeless individuals first, then
prioritizing homeless youth second, followed by any other individuals qualifying as homeless,
20
etc.) then this constitutes the use of preferences and a method of prioritization. To implement a
CE with these preferences and priorities, the PJ must include the preferences and method of
prioritization that the CE will use in the preferences section of their HOME -ARP allocation plan.
Use of a CE with embedded preferences or methods of prioritization that are not contained in the
PJ's HOME -ARP allocation does not comply with Section IV.C.2 of the Notice (pagel0).
Template:
Identify the referral methods that the PJ intends to use for its HOME ARP projects and
activities. PJ's may use multiple referral methods in its HOME -ARP program. (Optional):
In the rental housing activity, the City will use project -specific waiting lists. As per issued guidance, in
these waiting lists applicants should be selected in chronological order of their application to the greatest
extent practicable. In the Non -Congregate Shelter (NCS) activity, the City will use an Expanded
Coordinated Entry (CE) system that has been laid out by the CoC.
If the PJ intends to use the coordinated entry (CE) process established by the CoC, describe
whether all qualifying populations eligible for a project or activity will be included in the CE
process, or the method by which all qualifying populations eligible for the project or activity
will be covered. (Optional):
All QPs will be included in the Expanded CE process to be utilized at the NCS location.
If the PJ intends to use the CE process established by the CoC, describe the method of
prioritization to be used by the CE. (Optional):
The expanded Coordinated Entry process to be used at the NCS site will use the following method
of prioritization, as provided by the CoC:
1. First Priority: Formerly homeless households experiencing homelessness who are currently in PSH which is
reallocated or rejected through the annual U S HUD Continuum of Care Program Competition or a housing in a U.S
HUD funded program which is overspending or projected to overspend available grant funding and no alternative
Permanent Housing program is available or appropriate.
2. Second Priority: Formerly homeless households who are currently in RRH who met any DedicatedPlus criteria
upon entry and require intensive, ongoing supportive services and/or case management, not simply non -time limited
financial assistance, in order to maintain housing stability. Clients will be prioritized based on length of time in RRH.
3. Third Priority: Households experiencing homelessness who meet DedicatedPlus criteria and require ongoing
supportive services and/or case management, not simply non -time limited financial assistance, prioritized as follows:
Tier 1: A person aged 65 years or older and/or a person with medical vulnerabilities. 1 Individuals or
households who meet both criteria (65+ and medical vulnerability) will be prioritized over people who meet
only one.
Tier 2: Households experiencing homelessness who meet any of the following criteria will be prioritized
based on the total number of criteria the household meets:
(1) Household is experiencing chronic homelessness OR household has a disabled head of
household, coming from a place not meant for human habitation or Emergency Shelter and has a
total length of time homeless in the past three years exceeding 180 days OR household regardless
of disability has 400 days or more of homelessness in the past three years
21
(2) Youth/young adult household: 18-24 year -old (YO) single households and families with an 18-
24 YO head of household.
(3) Individual or any member of a household has high crisis system utilization (justice system, foster
care, child welfare, emergency department, etc.)
(4) Household has a VI-SPDAT, F-VI-SPDAT, or TAY-VI-SPDAT score for prioritization of 4 or
greater
(5) Individual or household fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, or stalking, or otherwise experiencing, or at risk of exploitation
(6) Experiencing unsheltered homelessness
(7) A family household that meets any of the following conditions:
(a) Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the delay in the discharge
of the child, or children, to the family from out -of -home care;
(b) Families with a household member who is currently pregnant
(c) Families with one or more children with a physical or developmental disability
Tier 3: Other disabled individuals and families experiencing homelessness with the longest periods of continuous or
episodic homelessness and with severe service needs as evidenced by Vulnerability Index score.
Fourth Priority: Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human
trafficking.
Coordinated Entry: Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) provides ES, Transitional
Housing and short -to medium -term rental assistance to persons fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. The CoC Housing Coordinator may take referrals from
CAHSD for HOME ARPA NCS when no referrals can be made of persons meeting the first priority.
Fifth Priority: Individuals at -risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1))
Coordinated Entry: Camillus House operates a Homeless Prevention helpline. The CoC Housing Coordinator may
take referrals from Camillus' Homeless Prevention team for HOME ARPA Rental Housing when no referrals can be
made of persons meeting the first or second priorities.
Sixth Priority: Other individuals where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act
(42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the household's homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of
housing instability;
Coordinated Entry: Camillus House operates a Homeless Prevention helpline. The CoC Housing Coordinator may
take referrals from Camillus' Homeless Prevention team for HOME ARPA Rental Housing when no referrals can be
made of persons meeting the first or second priority
If the PJ intends to use both a CE process established by the CoC and another referral method
for a project or activity, describe any method of prioritization between the two referral
methods, if any. (Optional):
Does not apply.
Limitations in a HOME -ARP rental housing or NCS project
Limiting eligibility for a HOME -ARP rental housing or NCS project is only permitted under
certain circumstances.
22
• PJs must follow all applicable fair housing, civil rights, and nondiscrimination
requirements, including but not limited to those requirements listed in 24 CFR 5.105(a).
This includes, but is not limited to, the Fair Housing Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act,
section 504 of Rehabilitation Act, HUD's Equal Access Rule, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act, as applicable.
• A PJ may not exclude otherwise eligible qualifying populations from its overall HOME -
ARP program.
• Within the qualifying populations, participation in a project or activity may be limited to
persons with a specific disability only, if necessary, to provide effective housing, aid,
benefit, or services that would be as effective as those provided to others in accordance
with 24 CFR 8.4(b)(1)(iv). A PJ must describe why such a limitation for a project or
activity is necessary in its HOME -ARP allocation plan (based on the needs and gap
identified by the PJ in its plan) to meet some greater need and to provide a specific
benefit that cannot be provided through the provision of a preference.
• For HOME -ARP rental housing, section VI.B.20.a.iii of the Notice (page 36) states that
owners may only limit eligibility to a particular qualifying population or segment of the
qualifying population if the limitation is described in the PJ's HOME -ARP allocation
plan.
• PJs may limit admission to HOME -ARP rental housing or NCS to households who need
the specialized supportive services that are provided in such housing or NCS. However,
no otherwise eligible individuals with disabilities or families including an individual with
a disability who may benefit from the services provided may be excluded on the grounds
that they do not have a particular disability.
Template
Describe whether the PJ intends to limit eligibility for a HOME -ARP rental housing or NCS
project to a particular qualifying population or specific subpopulation of a qualifying
population identified in section IV.A of the Notice:
The City of Miami does not intend to limit eligibility for HOME -ARP rental housing or an NCS project
to a particular qualifying population, or subpopulation of a qualifying population.
If a PJ intends to implement a limitation, explain why the use of a limitation is necessary to
address the unmet need or gap in benefits and services received by individuals and families in
the qualifying population or subpopulation of qualifying population, consistent with the PJ's
needs assessment and gap analysis:
Does not apply.
If a limitation was identified, describe how the PJ will address the unmet needs or gaps in
benefits and services of the other qualifying populations that are not included in the limitation
through the use of HOME ARP funds (i.e., through another of the PJ's HOME ARP projects
or activities):
Does not apply.
23
24
HOME -ARP Refinancing Guidelines
If the PJ intends to use HOME -ARP funds to refinance existing debt secured by multifamily
rental housing that is being rehabilitated with HOME -ARP funds, the PJ must state its HOME -
ARP refinancing guidelines in accordance with 24 CFR 92.206(b). The guidelines must describe
the conditions under with the PJ will refinance existing debt for a HOME -ARP rental project,
including:
• Establish a minimum level of rehabilitation per unit or a required ratio between
rehabilitation and refinancing to demonstrate that rehabilitation of HOME ARP rental
housing is the primary eligible activity
Not applicable.
• Require a review of management practices to demonstrate that disinvestment in the
property has not occurred; that the long-term needs of the project can be met; and that
the feasibility of serving qualified populations for the minimum compliance period can
be demonstrated.
Not applicable.
• State whether the new investment is being made to maintain current affordable units,
create additional affordable units, or both.
Not applicable.
• Specify the required compliance period, whether it is the minimum 15 years or longer.
Not applicable.
• State that HOME ARP funds cannot be used to refinance multifamily loans made or
insured by any federal program, including CDBG.
Not applicable.
• Other requirements in the PJ's guidelines, if applicable:
Not applicable.
25
Attachments
Ad placement — The Miami Herald, Oct. 27
tlr
1411.111 HERALD I
Gunmen attack major Shiite
holy site in Iran, killing 15
.audadma Pow
DORM, Irtn7Fn A RAC
EINORATE5
Gunmen attacked a
major Shiite holy site in
[ran an Wednesday, kill-
ing at least 1s people and
wounding clamps. The
attack coon as protesters
elsewhere in (ran marked
a symbolic 40 days since a
wommn'S death in custody
ignited the biggest anti-
government mcvemeat in
over a decade_
State T'V blamed the
altatk on "takfois,"'a term
that refers to Sunni Mus-
lim extremists who have
targeted the country's
Shiite majaribr in the past
The attack appeared to be
unrelated to the demon-
strations_
The official websire of
the *lid my said two gun-
men were arrested and a
third is on the run after the
attack on the Shah Citeragh
masque, the second holiest
site in Iran_ The state -run
(RNA news agency report-
ed the death rail and state
11( said 10 people were
wooded.
An [roman news websile
considered to be close to
the Supreme National
Security Courted reported
that the attackers were
forrigo oaticnals, without
elaborating.
The Islamic State group
Late Wednesday claimed
rrsponsibdity for the attack
on its Amaq DEWS agency.
It said an armed IS militant
stormed the sluice acid
opened the ao its visitors.1l
claimed that some 20 pea -
pie were killed and dozens
more were wounded.
Such attacks are ram in
Iran, but last April, an as-
sailant slabbed two clerics
to death at the Imam Reza
shrine, the country's most
revered Shute site, in the
northeast city of Mashhad
]runian President Elva -
him Raisi said that whoever
led and planned the attack
will "r.xetve a regretful and
derisive uespaaser" without
elaborating. IRNA quoted
Raisi as shying, 'This a r0
will definitely not go tmen-
sweted."
Earlier on Wednesday.
thousands of protesters
had poured into the
streets of a northwestern
city to mark the watershed
40 days since the death in
custtxly of 22-year-old
Mahsa Amiai, whose trag-
edy sparked the pretests_
Deaths are curuoelo-
oraled in Shiite Islam — as
in many other traditions —
again 40 days later, typical-
ly with an outpouring of
grief. In Amini's Kurdish
hometown of Sawa, the
birthplace of the nation-
wide unrest now roiling
Iran, crawls snaked
through the local cemetery
and threnged her gave_
"Death to the dictated
protesters cried, aocarding
to video footage that none -
wads with }sawn fea-
tures of the city and Aichi
Cemetery_ WauEn ripped
off their headscarves, ar
hiiabs, and waved them
above their heads. Other
videos showed a massive
procession making its way
along a highway and
through a dusty field to-
ward Aiuini's grave_ There
were reports of road clo-
sures in tale area.
State -linked media re-
ported 10,000 protesters in
the procession to her grave.
[-Lengaw, a Kurdish
human rights group, said
security farces filed tear
gas La dispersedemonstra-
tors. The semiofficial
IS? 1A news agency said
securityforces fired pel-
lets at crowds of demon-
strators no the outskirts of
Sages and pushed lack
demonstrators wha tried
to attack the governor's
office. It said ]seal In-
ternet access was cut off
due to "security consid-
erations.'
THUECO OCEBE41 ti ant
Obituaries
OBITUARY INDEX
Millar and rime o6ikaarie5 al rrianiwalLexam
Crnlbttairahiheryslafala -378-2liC1orobillItriaahelaklcon
ME. HE
ore •i• Mille=
Ehrlich. David; 1311
Austin
Oct 22 Cddsli sb wrhtMS RDp aalSade
EMI strum imanate I trr191 ale{
Li e. `
1ss you. anadoknces
MA Aare land memories.
Sit a are online
Guest Book i
,r..marmleerlieosa
l.cgacytoa
Or, rda.R1- a..a,w..i, at.wire. ,do-+.. 1.u... rrl. l a..«•e......a rear tad
Ea "'raw Fr. a..wrrra •,..v• r.r , n,. .,cran law.. w, r.wrr
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
T•"omMrrpmr198a1uW hr•r,irardwtlary]Fa':4t. ,.,±rdrt.rxarm Y.3•er951:. •,•'',.:...a mflp' .,cc noar.mrdeaorx N,<. bdbaaw'l.Ct,,I
Ma, .P.d.h,a,alearl m.@Y,r10r1.4.tilemilaw.Hm0rC141APPO,,L*p+r,rit1 vide,. ..• •...dI..4•••aNna..ax+e, 5,11,]7.1.1.1,,r'kk l,.-•p..•
aka .bl td.00 ,.r,rta WIfi,.ylpMwx.wim.r/M.wwFrl rrA 77 ilil•Wittle.1, WM41.-,.1.-.. ,,.6rr: n• ata...F1 arrpriwrwa4,p •r•.., r.-,.:..�:
MIra meat*, .,d dr.bx Ir.tll.i,fMGiJR Wawa*., .a askk. =
110idi 4IK1rJn1f4Car Pt. 1 11451•TOIS n.*.
iarar.11l.
4tlhsg.41w,
w.sap 1. ..
• •.
Oa .4F•..•. M.r.a.se r.ml does.,
W, tax 1/.4Pn. im...x ...M.O. a
bmwiarp.xr.,M
1%113,1.r..a
AraaanntrodanliPicapl
aptdlu•.t•p a c«.,r.age«Ilpo.t
rradr.ar alL1.110aelata •11CTaaL
1a?aeli ell
11•raY5-a.6 rtr Y.,:e,.,,x..•..466.6d4,144Er.rp.•4sn ft. tor "rk..A24 rw Niko aArn.a.r n+..a.; 8,1.M r• r ..w.rw. 5u
rn. oipnnraa, a _.. __.p • [....ay b p., I. a1 • .4 ra.r oast — * a• n Case ma Lai la .arnw a anagl ear. 71,01, 0,,.a, r1 termae
WE, 1ui.a.,r 1a 1. tlhr bar..., a 1..w *bran ea«u5 air 4 w.a sawn+ d lwrw a C+.i.+raar+i4prrs It It 1 m.tisw,rd ,p,a alum_ n air0., w trod 1a
T apaiic . t.Rrd I. Mau.. pink M1waa arra r.,maLTrr, r..,IM ai. a.n*tlbaxi 11a1sN.d I. a<iw&raa WTI ...Mariam ran Clutlai.,.Jaratd I1151m.--
eayyrwace...r.. m4*1 .' 224paamlin5, Sow+ilrr 4.•lawrt+ullnlwa!dlri.w* ,n.nR4 110,—'r+• '"Nstpnbtrh. •a+l a salua as h ra dikaat,p
Ile01ar11F
26
lFtl id Ehrlich
1U LI'l 12. /942 -
l) ltlltt•I. rT 2111'1
Auaam'rut. Flutaand
h m1i1 "Shrine..cndith
r c 0or h e n Schanck 1.
1's11.wr •.�: Ian.11FIU.:. Ella,
and Arthur Ihrb.h. David
▪ six NUT :n Phdadclphia,
PA. and raked an Lower
MCritm_ PA, sad Miami,
P1.. A Ivsircxsman, antiyui.
ties collccku, ant real c:dive
isvrxlrx, Aluxned tot !ohm
Fltpkias Univcrii1 . long.
time issdeal eF NYC, NY,
Southampule, NY_ Miami,
FL Los Angcks, CA_ and
Austiey TX. DIN id wax as
adycamrer and traveled La
• r.i
70
wntric.,t through -
oat his life. David poi d
peacefully is biz sleep aGer
a lik ws11 lived. Relatives
and friends arc im•ircal to his
cameral scrviccs Thursday 2
R.M. precisely a1. Ramscsetl
Memorial Park Mausalcum,
2701 (Ad Lincoln oln Flwy.., Tro-
Vase_ PA 19053. Shiva will
Ire olrtor•a3Thurs. 6-10 PM,
Pi.. 11.2. PM, and Sat €.I1I
PM at the hying of Lauren
BFcibyw. a Irfel cop friend and
Gexlrnd6er to his child:no.
The Philadelphian, 22401
Pcaasylvanu Ave., k- 14E33,
P'hila., PA 19130. Gmtrihu
tines in his memory l=c
me to I3clp for 0r ammadefat, 33110 Eke Cover Road,
690Y12(.2 Amain. TX 7117 .6,
w ww_helpfiwcxphary .exp
CDLPS'TEIM• IKISEPIEIE R L.
PtPHAB43AC140
rrr$.H.fdYaiMpdcom
Share Your
Condolences,
Thoughts &
Memories
Online
Sign the guest
book and mint pule
personal mr..aaiage
for obituaries listed
in Irwlas s paper•, and
from the past roar.
Find the online
obituaries listing and
a l ink 14) the guest
hook all
legnexconn,
obituaries 'herald
Ili131111 limb)
461r1) l hacal&cam
T.;t.v.vdil,sy
i. 516cr,4I k,.11
d.7o�11,- N„r
cowl EN. IrLi®Ihcrikt m
Dill aua»a: gra.Xpo
R IMW frfl1l�
l -0i Iael OM in
Teams meeting e-vite
CITY OF MIAMI HOME -ARP PLAN
STAKEHOLDERS VIRTUAL MEETING
Please join the City's Department of Housing
& Community Development for a stakeholder
meeting on the $12.7 million federal funding
from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and how
it could be used for housing to assist qualifying
populations. The meeting will be held virtually
on March 1, 2022 at 3:00 pm.
We will discuss how we can use these resources
for eligible housing activities, such as affordable
housing production or preservation, non -
congregate shelter acquisition, and supportive
services, homeless prevention services
and housing counseling. We welcome your
organization's feedback.
PLEASE PRE -REGISTER
by e-mailing cbermudez@miamigov.com.
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation e-mail
with details on joining the virtual meeting.
For more information on this meeting, contact Christine Bermudez
at cbermudez@miamigov.com.
For background on the HOME -ARP program,
visit www.hudexchange.info/progroms/home-arp/.
Survey e-vite
CITY OF MIAMI HOME -ARP PLAN
STAKEHOLDERS ONLINE SURVEY
The City of Miami's Department of Housing & Community
Development invites local stakeholders to provide their input
on the needs of qualifying populations who can be assisted
via federal HOME -American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. These
populations include persons who are: (1) Homeless (2) At -
Risk of Homelessness (3) Fleeing or attempting to flee
domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human
trafficking (4) Other populations at greatest risk of housing
instability.
We look forward to receiving your organization's feedback
via this survey which should take no more ten minutes to
complete. Please submit your survey responses no later
than Monday, July 25, 2022. The survey can be accessed by
visiting the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COM HOMEAR P
p, y
' 11I "I Noll .
For background on the HOME -ARP program,
visit www.hudexchonge.info/programs/home-arp/.
For more information, contact Christine Bermudez at
cbermudez@miamigov.com.
27
Letter from the Homeless Trust — public comment
MIAM I•DADE
COUNTY
November 10, 2022
Mr. George Mensah
Director
Department of Housing & Community Development
14 NE 1st Avenue, 2nd Floor
Miami, Florida 33132
VIA EMAIL:
Dear Mr. Mensah:
Homeless Trust
11 NW 1st Street • 27th Floor
Miami, Florida 33128
T 305-375-1490
miamidade.gov
Please allow this letter to serve as public comment to the City of Miami's draft HOME -ARP
Allocation Plan.
The Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust, lead agency for Miami -Dade County's homeless
Continuum of Care (CoC), is seeking to strategically partner with the City of Miami to reduce
homelessness in the urban core. As such, we are asking the City of Miami, as a Participating
Jurisdiction, to allocate to the Homeless Trust the $12,770,527.00 in formula funding allocated
to the City of Miami as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), along with additional funding
identified by the City of Miami, for a total of $15 million, to acquire and renovate up to four new
properties to serve as permanent housing for persons experiencing homelessness.
As first outlined in our letter dated March 22, 2022, HOME -ARP funds can be used to purchase
and rehabilitate affordable housing, among other eligible activities. The funding we are seeking
from the City of Miami and other local governments will allow the Homeless Trust to better
support households sleeping on our streets or staying in temporary emergency shelters without
viable permanent housing options.
Approximately 1,140 people are experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Miami -Dade County,
as evidenced by the homeless census conducted on August 18, 2022. Approximately 56 percent
of those individuals (640) are residing in Miami. This represents a year over year increase of 25
percent. Sheltered homelessness is also up approximately 11 percent, with nearly 2,600 people
calling emergency shelter home every night.
The housing crisis, inflation, COVID-19, and migrant inflow have created the perfect storm. While
we have not returned to pre -pandemic levels of homelessness, we know we are fighting an uphill
battle due to the lack of housing stock for extremely low-income homeless households with
special needs, particularly those experiencing chronic homelessness. At least 1 in 5 households
experiencing homelessness is chronically homeless (disabled and homeless for 365 days or more)
and more than 1 in 3 single adults experiencing homelessness is 55 or over. Many of these
28
Letter to Mr. George Mensah
November 10, 2022
Page 2
individuals are disabled, suffering from severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and
have complex behavioral health and/or medical needs.
The Homeless Trust can dramatically reduce unsheltered homelessness by investing in Housing
First, a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes permanent housing for people experiencing
homelessness. We have pre -identified existing properties, which when combined with intensive
support services, will serve to assist hard -to -serve individuals experiencing homelessness and
meet their complex and unique needs, while also allowing the Homeless Trust to control rents.
These properties, combined with investments already made by the Homeless Trust to enhance
street outreach, maximize the use of emergency shelter beds and implement Critical Time
Intervention (CTI) and pre-CTI case management strategies and will serve to reduce the number
of people living on our streets.
We have already secured funding commitments from other Participating Jurisdictions and local
governments. Miami -Dade County has committed $25 million, including $5 million in HOME -ARP
funding. The City of Miami Beach has committed a minimum of $1 million. The State of Florida
has allocated another $1.75 million. Our goal is to bring online no fewer than 550 new units/beds
of permanent housing for persons experiencing homelessness.
1) Mia Casa — $6.4 million
Located at 12221 Harriet Tubman Highway in North Miami, Mia Casa is currently serving as a
COVID-19 quarantine and isolation site for senior citizens experiencing homelessness. More than
500 intakes have occurred over the past 2 34 years. The Homeless Trust is finalizing the
acquisition of this site, a former Assisted Living Facility, to serve as bridge permanent housing for
senior citizens 65 and over. Currently, 97 seniors are at Mia Casa, but that number will increase
to 120 once the sale is complete. The site will be operated using local Food and Beverage
proceeds dedicated to homelessness. As portions of this facility were built in the 1970's, an
additional sum of $3 million in capital funds will be needed to ensure the property is maintained
appropriately.
2) Undisclosed Site #1-- $4.6 million acquisition; $6.5 million renovations
We are also seeking to provide specialized housing and services for unsheltered single adults with
special needs. This includes persons with co-occurring disorders (mental illness and substance
use disorders); tri-morbidity which includes co-occurring disorders with a chronic medical
condition, and the reentry population. Disorders of physical health, mental health and substance
29
Letter to Mr. George Mensah
November 10, 2022
Page 3
use disorders are common in the unsheltered population. The Trust has identified a facility in
west Miami -Dade which can be renovated and transformed into permanent housing, providing
specialty care including case management, medical and psychiatric services to highly vulnerable
persons. It is also believed the facility and surrounding undeveloped land can be further
maximized to house and serve additional persons. The menu of services offered would be
designed to meet the unique needs of individuals currently on the streets of Miami -Dade County.
Services will be trauma -informed, person -centered and strengths -based, incorporating peers
whenever possible.
Work to secure and renovate the facility is underway. The Homeless Trust has committed $1.5
million in Food and Beverage Tax proceeds, and through a competitive process, selected a CART
accredited, private nonprofit homeless service provider to manage and operate the property.
3) Undisclosed Site #2 -- $16 million acquisition and rehabilitation (pre -negotiation)
The Homeless Trust has identified a 105-room property in south Miami -Dade capable of housing
a minimum of 125-150 individuals. As part of a hotel to affordable housing conversion,
kitchenettes will be added to all guest rooms. Hotel to housing conversions are underway in
communities across the nation as a means to quickly expand the supply of permanent affordable
housing.
4) Undisclosed Site #3 — Estimated $14 million
A second hotel to housing conversion is contemplated in the north Miami -Dade area. A
previously identified property sold while the Homeless Trust was working to cobble together
sufficient financing. Having the necessary capital funding committed will allow us to enter into
more serious negotiations with property owners.
Nearly all the agencies consulted by the City of Miami's Housing and Community Development
Department in the development of draft plan have echoed the CoC's call for affordable housing,
with an emphasis on persons experiencing homelessness. Mechanisms are also available to set
preferences which prioritize those experiencing homelessness with HOME -ARP resources. The
Trust, having worked with multiple participating jurisdictions and local governments to
coordinate homeless housing and services countywide, is best positioned and has the subject -
matter expertise and experience to leverage resources and acquire and renovate the housing
inventory that is so desperately needed.
30
Letter to Mr. George Mensah
November 10, 2022
Page 4
We know multi -jurisdictional collaborations and coordinated systems are needed to achieve our
shared goal of effectively ending homelessness and reach the City of Miami's goal of getting to
functional zero and sustaining an effective end to homelessness. We ask that as you develop
your community's budget and priorities, those experiencing homelessness are given every
consideration and that the City of Miami join the larger effort to increase housing capacity and
reduce homelessness countywide.
Sincerely,
/us /J
Ronald L. Book Victoria L. Mallette
Chairman Executive Director
c: The Honorable Francis Suarez, Mayor, City of Miami
The Honorable Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, City of Miami -District 1
The Honorable Ken Russell, City of Miami -District 2
The Honorable Joe Carollo, City of Miami -District 3
The Honorable Manolo Reyes, City of Miami -District 4
The Honorable 4 Christine King, City of Miami -District 5
The Honorable Danielle Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami -Dade County
Arthur Noriega, Manager, City of Miami
Larry Spring, Chief Financial Officer, City of Miami
Natasha Colebrook -Williams, Assistant City Manager, City of Miami
William Porro, Director, Human Services & Economic Initiatives, City of Miami
Alfredo Duran, Deputy Director, Housing and Community Development, City of Miami
Manny Sarria, Assistant Director, Miami -Dade County Homeless Trust
31