The City offers various voluntary services to provide support for those choosing to end their homelessness. Homeless clients may access shelter services; family and friends' reunification; identification document replacement; entitlements assistance; and referrals to medical/ mental health/ substance abuse providers.
On March 12, 2020, the City declared a state of emergency (which continues) as a result of COVID-19. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Homeless Outreach Team continued operations and the provision of services. Outreach workers augmented their efforts by distributing informational flyers and face masks. In the last month, the programing has expanded its collaboration with Mount Sinai and the Miami Beach Fire Department to assist with COVID-19 vaccine distribution to elderly 65 and older.
Although engagement efforts have continued throughout the pandemic, there has been a significant decline in shelter services and family/friend's reunification requests when compared to prior years. With this existing bed inventory, the City experienced an estimated 10 shelter bed vacancies per day since the pandemic began. In the last four months the vacancy rate has been 12 beds per day.
In addition, the Homeless Trust had made available quarantine and isolation beds at local area hotels and living facilities.
Graph A (attached) shows the service performance numbers between October 1, 2020- January 8, 2021.
What is of overriding value in the data is the sheer number of homeless persons who are approached, offered services, and subsequently decline assistance. Since the pandemic's onset, the City has obtained refusals of service from homeless persons. Given the pandemic and current environmental factors, the refusal of services underscores our homeless population's reluctance to accept help and, far more importantly, the lack of urgency on their part with regards to their homelessness.
Homelessness is rarely caused just because a person loses his or her housing. The City's current strategies and services balance the need to end homelessness with the individual's right to self-determination and independence. Our support, including shelter, employment, and other support services, can only be successful when leveraged by a person's decision to end their homelessness.
Please see Attachment A analysis titled "A Multi-Dimensional View from the Streets: Understanding Homelessness in Miami Beach," which provides a comprehensive and extensive summary of all the strategies and services provided to the homeless in Miami Beach.