Miami funds target homeless housing in Cutler Bay

An $8 million investment from the City of Miami could help transform a former hotel in Cutler Bay into permanent housing for homeless and low-income residents.

Miami commissioners are voting on a resolution on Dec. 12 to allocate monies from the city’s ARPA funds to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust to acquire and convert the La Quinta Inn & Suites at 10821 Caribbean Blvd. into 107 supportive housing units. The project, dubbed Hideaways by the Bay, will reserve 57 units for the City of Miami, prioritizing the homeless.

The Homeless Trust serves as the lead agency for Miami-Dade County’s Homeless Continuum of Care, a program that promotes community-wide planning and strategic use of resources to address homelessness. In July 2023, the county received a signed offer to buy the hotel property with the intent of converting it to living spaces for individuals within the continuum of care, which supports 5,000 people daily with a 98% success rate in helping residents maintain stable housing.

The Hideaways by the Bay project aims to add to these efforts by offering permanent housing options for people with disabilities, seniors and those who are homeless in South Miami-Dade. In November 2023, the trust applied to the city requesting $8 million in ARPA funds earmarked for housing programs to cover part of the $14 million acquisition cost.

The existing property includes 107 rooms, each equipped with a bathroom and capable of accommodating individuals or couples. It also features shared laundry facilities, a security system and a common breakfast area. The trust plans to install kitchenettes within each room to create studio apartments. As outlined in the resolution before the commission, 57 of the units will be designated for the City of Miami, with a preference for the homeless.

Additionally, the trust is to select a provider to offer case management and connect tenants to vital services like transportation, education, healthcare and financial assistance as needed. The trust planned to begin leasing and operations by Dec. 31.

The Cutler Bay site was selected for proximity to the county’s Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Corridor, which is to provide easy access to transit hubs, retail and other essential services. The project also aligns with the community’s vision for a revitalized Town Center district, designed to integrate shops, restaurants, services, workplaces and higher-density housing in a pedestrian-friendly environment.

Recent Homeless Trust data found 67 unsheltered homeless persons in South Miami-Dade from Kendall Drive to the Monroe County line. While this is a 28% decrease year-over-year in South Miami-Dade, the trust says it is working to further reduce homelessness.