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Miami Beach is mulling options to provide a nighttime drop-in center for homeless and vulnerable populations.
A referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee passed unanimously in this month’s city commission meeting for the “administration to explore and provide options for establishing a nighttime drop-in center in Miami Beach,” says the item’s memo.
The item, sponsored by Alex Fernandez, met comment from Commissioner Joseph Magazine.
“I want to be diligent and let this run its course through committee and things like that,” Mr. Magazine said. “It just seemed like a deviation from some of the policies and directions that we had largely taken over the past couple of years.”
The effort is not something Commissioner Magazine was “initially enthusiastic or overly excited about,” he said.
Although the city offers services and support to its homeless population, many people decline, says the item’s analysis. As a result, this may lead to homeless persons seeking sanctuary in residential and commercial areas.
The analysis further explains the impact such as presenting challenges to neighborhoods. “The presence of homeless individuals in these areas can create a range of issues, including safety concerns for both the homeless individuals themselves and local residents. It can also result in increased littering, loitering, and disturbances, impacting the overall cleanliness and ambiance of our communities.” The repercussions, the analysis said, may include deterring visitors and customers, which can ultimately impact local businesses and the economy of a neighborhood.
In the analysis, Mr. Fernandez proposed asking the committee to discuss “the potential implementation of establishing a nighttime drop-in center for homeless persons in Miami Beach. I suggest that the administration explore any available space to provide amenities such as showers, bathrooms, and access to services. Establishing such a space, conveniently located within the city, could greatly benefit our community and offer critical support to those in need.”
The memo said the space could aid the homeless and vulnerable population such as “victims of abuse, those escaping human trafficking and the LGBTQ population, providing further inclusivity and comprehensive care for all members of our community.”
Supportive data cited the 2022 Miami Beach Community Survey, which showcased that 24.6% “of survey respondents cited efforts to address homelessness as one of the major categories of city services that are most important for the city to provide. Additionally, the mayor and city commission identified the need to address homelessness by continuously evolving and innovating services to help those wishing to end their personal homelessness as a key management objective in the city’s 2019 strategic plan Through the Lens of Resilience.”
Janetssy Lugo
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