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File ID: #18278
Resolution
Sponsored by: Mayor Francis Suarez, Commissioner Miguel Gabela,
Commissioner Damian Pardo, Commissioner Manolo Reyes, Commissioner
Christine King
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") COMMISSION URGING MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE MIAMI CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND
RECOVERY, A FIRST -OF -ITS -KIND DIVERSION FACILITY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE
A COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED SYSTEM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES THAT WOULD ASSIST IN IMPROVING
PUBLIC SAFETY, REDUCE HOMELESSNESS, REDUCE THE COSTLY RELIANCE
ON JAILS AND HOSPITALS, AND PROMOTE RECOVERY, HOPE, AND
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSMIT THIS
RESOLUTION TO ALL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY MAYOR
AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST.
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-25-0419
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 18278 Final Action Date:10/9/2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI ("CITY") COMMISSION URGING MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE MIAMI CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND
RECOVERY, A FIRST -OF -ITS -KIND DIVERSION FACILITY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE
A COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED SYSTEM OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES THAT WOULD ASSIST IN IMPROVING
PUBLIC SAFETY, REDUCE HOMELESSNESS, REDUCE THE COSTLY RELIANCE
ON JAILS AND HOSPITALS, AND PROMOTE RECOVERY, HOPE, AND
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING; DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO TRANSMIT THIS
RESOLUTION TO ALL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY MAYOR
AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") seeks to continue enhancing public safety and
improving the quality of life for residents, business owners, and visitors of the City; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida ranks 43rd nationally in access to mental health
care and 49th in per -capita spending on community -based treatment, leaving thousands of
residents without care; and
WHEREAS, the Miami -Dade County Jail is the largest psychiatric institution in Florida,
housing as many individuals with serious mental illnesses as all state civil and forensic hospitals
combined; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that 1,049 individuals with repeated bookings accounted for
21 % of all mental health jail bed days at a cost of $88.8 million over five years, with nearly 90%
having histories of homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery ("Center") has been
constructed, fully renovated, and issued a certificate of occupancy by the City of Miami; and
WHEREAS, the Center will include a central receiving facility, crisis stabilization,
residential and outpatient treatment, primary, dental care, ophthalmology and podiatry care,
vocational training, transitional housing, classrooms, and a courtroom to consolidate services
and reduce barriers to care; and
WHEREAS, the Center will be initially funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act
funds and opioid settlement funds, requiring zero cost to the County for the first two and a half
years, during which the University of Miami will conduct an independent cost -savings study; and
WHEREAS, the Center is projected to improve public safety, reduce homelessness,
save critical tax dollars, reduce recidivism, and restore dignity and opportunity to people with
serious mental illnesses by providing treatment instead of incarceration; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds supporting the Center to be in the best interests
and welfare of the residents, workers, and visitors of the City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby expresses its full support for the immediate
opening and operation of the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery and urges Miami -
Dade County to recognize the Center as a critical public health and safety initiative and fully
support the Center by funding the Center's operations.
Section 3. The City Commission directs the City Manager to transmit copies of this
Resolution to the Mayor of Miami -Dade County, Miami -Dade County Commissioners, and the
Public Health Trust of Miami -Dade County.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately after adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ge Wy j ng III, C y -ttor -y 9/30/2025