Latest news with #Miami-DadeCountyHomelessTrust
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
How a special Miami partnership on homelessness helped us reach an 11-year low
As the nation grapples with rising rates of homelessness, Miami-Dade's unique alliance between Chapman Partnership and the Homeless Trust stands out as a national model. According to the region's latest Homeless Census report, Miami has the lowest rate of homelessness per 100,000 people of any major U.S. city. In fact, the number has dropped to an 11-year low. It wasn't always like this. In 1993, more than 8,000 people in Miami were living on the streets. Now, that number is just under 900. This sharp decline didn't happen by chance but through a coordinated system that Ron Book, chair of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, calls 'the greatest public-private partnership that could possibly exist.' In 1992, then-Gov. Lawton Chiles created a task force of business and civic leaders with a singular mission: End homelessness in Miami-Dade. That task force was led by the late Alvah H. Chapman Jr., CEO of Knight-Ridder and publisher of the Miami Herald. Chapman Partnership was formed in 1995 as the operating partner of the newly created Homeless Trust, managing two Homeless Assistance Centers in downtown Miami and Homestead. This fall, Chapman Partnership will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Now serving over 1,000 individuals daily, it is the largest emergency housing provider in South Florida. At Chapman Partnership, we understand that homelessness is a symptom of deeper systemic issues. That's why our mission extends beyond shelter and meals. Through workforce training, financial literacy, medical, behavioral and spiritual wellness programs, we tackle the root causes of homelessness and provide individuals with the tools and support needed to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. We're proud of the results. Despite a severe shortage of affordable rental housing, more than 1,800 people transitioned from our campuses into permanent homes last year alone. Through partnerships with Miami-Dade Public Schools, Miami Dade College and CareerSource South Florida, our clients have access to courses both on and off campus. They gain valuable skills, training and certifications that help them secure employment. Each year, our Employment and Education Specialists place over 500 clients in jobs with an average hourly wage of $17.76 — 26% higher than Florida's current minimum wage. But our impact isn't just about numbers. It's about people. Many are surprised to learn that over 45% of our clients are families. Currently, Chapman Partnership is the only emergency shelter in Miami-Dade that allows entire families to stay together in the same room. We also serve a large number of elderly individuals, many of whom have lost spouses or face health challenges that make independent living difficult. The face of homelessness is more familiar than most people realize. Here's an example of how we help people and families: Paula was once thriving in a nursing career with a happy family. After the tragic loss of her husband to cancer, she lost her job and became homeless. Working with our employment team, Paula reinstated her nursing certification. Her young daughter, with support from the Family Resource Center, began to excel in school. Within just five months, Paula secured a job at a local hospital and moved into her own home. Her story is just one of 145,000 we've supported in the past 30 years. Our success is rooted in the deep civic pride of Miami. Ending homelessness has been made possible by extraordinary leaders and funders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Homelessness doesn't affect only a few — it impacts all of us. We view our work as essential to the health of our local economy. The lower street homelessness stays, the more tourism grows and businesses thrive. Moving forward, continuing to invest in Alvah H. Chapman's vision that 'no one sleeps on the streets' is both a moral and economic imperative. Scott Hansel is president and CEO of the Chapman Partnership in Miami.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This Florida woman, 78, lives in her car — as more seniors in the Sunshine State suddenly face homelessness
South Florida resident Carolyn is 78 years old — and at a time in her life when she should be enjoying life's comforts, she's instead living in her car because she can't afford a home. 'I look at it as a journey. I've had many journeys in my life,' she told WSVN 7News in a story published May 13. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Carolyn isn't the only older American in that boat. A growing portion of seniors in parts of Florida are grappling with homelessness — and the problem is projected to keep getting worse. Carolyn had been living in her vehicle for two months at the time, and 7News reports she has only Social Security for income. She doesn't share her monthly benefit, but the average retired worker today collects about $2,000 a month. Carolyn has sold many of her possessions, but simply doesn't have enough money. In the absence of a bed, she sleeps upright in her car instead of lying down. 'I sleep here in this seat, scrunched down. My ankles and legs are swollen from having to sit all the time,' she said. 'I buy jug water, it's cheaper. And I eat one meal a day, for $2.02.' Thanks to her Medicare plan, Carolyn has free access to a gym where she can shower, per 7News. But she still needs a home. Cassandra Rhett, the Housing and Social Services Manager for the City of Pompano Beach, is trying to help find her one. Rhett was inspired to help knowing that anyone could end up in a situation like Carolyn's. 'It could be my aunt, it could be my mother. It just breaks my heart just how humble Carolyn is,' she told 7News with tears in her eyes. Rhett blames the situation on skyrocketing rents. Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, says that homeless seniors are incredibly vulnerable and in need of help. 'We know if you put vulnerable elderly on the street, they're going to die earlier,' he told 7News. 'The face of homelessness has changed. I want people in our community to think about their mothers, and their grandmothers, and their grandfathers being homeless for the first time.' In 2019, people aged 65 and older made up nearly 8% of the homeless population in Miami-Dade County, according to 7News, citing data from the Homeless Trust. By 2024, that number reached 14%, and it's projected to climb to 22% by 2030. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Meanwhile, Carolyn's car recently started to leak following a period of rain. Rhett says the city has put Carolyn up in a hotel for now — while she works to find the senior permanent housing. Carolyn hopes sharing her story sheds light on the problem at hand. 'It can happen to anyone. Don't think it can't,' she warned. Americans aged 50 and over are the fastest growing group of people who are going homeless in the country, according to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness, meanwhile, reports that in 2023, roughly 138,000 Americans aged 55 and older experienced homelessness on a given night, representing 20% of all homeless individuals. Florida was among the states with the highest proportion of older adults. The organization also noted, in 2020, that 5 million Americans aged 65 and over lived below the poverty line, which at the time was $12,760 for a household of one, per HHS data. There are a few reasons why older Americans may not be able to afford housing. First, many people who reach retirement have only Social Security to live on. A 2024 AARP survey found that 20% of Americans aged 50 and over had no retirement savings. As noted earlier, the average retired worker Social Security benefit is about $2,000 a month. But Zillow puts the average U.S. rent for a one-bedroom unit at just under $1,600 per month. In addition to worrying about rent, health costs tend to rise with age. And those with limited incomes sometimes have to choose between paying for medical care and medication versus other bills. It's important that seniors at risk of homelessness know how to get access to the support they need. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, for example, has an online tool to help people seek out emergency shelter, as well as food pantries and health clinics. You can also use this list of resources to find homeless assistance programs in your state. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
See how these people are conquering their health challenges in Florida
South Florida See how these people are conquering their health challenges in Florida Florida residents are confronting serious health challenges with support from medical teams, community groups and new technology. Outreach workers from the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust provide water and cooling supplies to those most affected by the city's record heat, while WeCount! advocates for better protections for outdoor workers. Survivors of recent hurricanes in Miami face invisible mental health hurdles, as experts from virtual platforms like Nema Health teach people to recognize and treat PTSD through talk therapies such as cognitive processing therapy. Meanwhile, stroke survivors find renewed hope with Miami's first use of nerve stimulation devices, which help patients regain movement years after their initial injury. Across these tough situations, Miami's residents and organizations work to adapt, recover and support each other. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. NO. 1: A STROKE CHANGED A MIAMI TEACHER'S LIFE. HOW A NEW ELECTRICAL DEVICE IS HELPING HER MOVE What to know about how it works. | Published November 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante Jean Wilfred, 70, enjoys a bottle of water as the outreach team from the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust handed out bottles of water to individuals living on the street on Aug. 1, 2024, in Miami, Florida, during a period of sweltering heat. By Carl Juste NO. 2: 'WE NEED WATER.' HOW SOUTH FLORIDA GROUPS ARE HELPING THOSE HARDEST HIT BY EXTREME HEAT Miami-area nonprofits are helping those most vulnerable to the extreme heat South Florida is facing. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mimi Whitefield Juan Jose Muñoz (left) and Elvin Antonio Urbina walk with her belongings through the flooded N 15th St in North Tampa, Thursday, October 10, 2024, a day after Hurricane Milton crossed Florida's Gulf Coast. By Pedro Portal NO. 3: FLORIDIAN HURRICANE SURVIVORS COULD BE SUFFERING FROM PTSD—BUT RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE After a tumultuous hurricane season, an expert says Floridians should look out for symptoms of PTSD. | Published November 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
