Ron Book: Drives Homeless Trust to control own permanent housing

Ron L. Book founded his professional association in 1987 and has since lobbied for local governments, health care institutions, non-profits, and other organizations across the state, with an elevated focus on Miami-Dade, the place he calls home.

Mr. Book is known as one of the state’s most powerful lobbyists. He has successfully advocated for issues that range from affordable housing; funding for the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, which he chairs; funding for some of the top healthcare institutes, like University of Miami Health System’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; and policy issues that directly affect counties like Miami-Dade.

“There is a way to do almost anything you want to do,” he said. “If something doesn’t work today, there is a better way to get there. So, that’s part of what we try to do, as we work to better the community and to make a difference.”

Mr. Book has also served on charitable boards, including the Mourning Family Foundation, Best Buddies, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, and Lauren’s Kids Foundation, a non-profit he founded with his daughter, Florida State Sen. Lauren Book.

He has for 25 years been chairman of the Homeless Trust, which administers a budget of $97 million. Last January, he was recognized by the Florida Bar with the 2023 Florida Pro Bono Service Award for his charitable work for low-income and disadvantaged citizens.

“I went to law school to right wrongs, to make a difference,” said Mr. Book. “I found through the process of advocacy that in the world I work in, governmental affairs, the definition of politics is the art of compromise.”

Mr. Book spoke with Miami Today reporter Monica Correa.

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