Tenant Defense Project
Legal Services staff continues to meet with residents by appointment on a weekly basis at the Office of Community Services walk-in center, located at 765 17th Street. In addition, the Office of Housing and Community Services staff is responsible for supporting residents needing to schedule an appointment for housing issues. Walk-in clients are also seen on Thursdays, based on availability.
From January-July 2023, the Administration referred eighteen (18) clients to Legal Services on their partner portal, scheduled forty-four (44) appointments, and directed fifteen (15) residents seeking walk-in appointments, for a total of seventy-seven (77) referrals. During this timeframe, Legal Services has opened thirty-three (33) cases, provided information and referrals to twenty-one (21) clients, and closed twenty-five (25) cases.
Legal Services of Greater Miami
|
Miami Beach Tenant Defense Project FY 22-23
|
Funding Amount:
|
|
$183,801.00
|
Remaining Balance:
|
|
$175,035.20
|
|
January
|
February
|
March
|
April
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Total
|
CMB Referral via Legal Services website
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
18
|
Scheduled Appointments
|
0
|
5
|
4
|
10
|
10
|
11
|
14
|
44
|
Clients Attending Appointments
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
7
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
33
|
Walk-in Clients
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
6
|
15
|
Self-Referred Clients
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
Cases Opened
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
3
|
6
|
8
|
10
|
33
|
Closed Cases
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
7
|
4
|
10
|
25
|
Referral Pending Service
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
Information & Referral
|
3
|
4
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
21
|
Pursuant to the FERC recommendation on February 17, 2023, the Administration identified ways to market the Program on mass transit. Outfront Media, a city-approved vendor, provided estimates to market and advertise the Program on public transportation facilities throughout the City. The Office of Housing and Community Services paid for up to two (2) bus shelter locations for 60 days for approximately $2,250. Subsequently, Outfront Media granted access to a digital advertisement platform at the Alton Road Food Hall at no additional cost.
Staff worked with the Office of Marketing and Communications and released a public service announcement on YouTube promoting the various programs offered to residents, including the Tenant Defense Program. Additionally, the MB magazine features an article on the Program in its summer edition, which was published in the first week of July 2023.
On May 23, 2023, Legal Services conducted a tenant rights workshop at the Miami Beach Regional Library for the elderly community. On August 19, 2023, Legal Services conducted a tenant rights workshop at the North Shore Youth Center Park to answer questions about evictions and tenant rights. The Administration will explore virtual options for an additional workshop in FY 23-24, to accommodate residents that cannot attend in person.
Legislative Update
The Live Local Act (SB102), Fee in Lieu of Security Deposits (HB133), and Residential Tenancies (HB1417) are new legislations that went into effect on July 1, 2023.
The Live Local Act is a comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy, designed to increase the availability of affordable housing opportunities for Florida’s workforce, who desire to live within the communities they serve. This Act known as SB 102, provides historic funding for workforce housing. In addition to a number of new programs, incentives, and opportunities, this legislation works to refocus Florida’s housing strategy in ways to make housing more attainable.
SB 102 – Housing/ Live Local Act
https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Session/2023/BillSummary/Community_CA0102ca_00102.pdf
The Fee in Lieu of Security Deposits (HB133) legislation authorizes the landlord to offer the tenant option to pay a fee in lieu of a security deposit; provides requirements relating to certain notices, filing of insurance claims, options for paying fees, & written agreements between landlord & tenant to pay fee in lieu of security deposit; prohibits landlord from accepting certain payments; specifies landlords have exclusive discretion whether to offer tenants such option; prohibits landlord from approving or denying application for occupancy based on prospective tenant's choice to pay fee in lieu of security deposit.
HB133 - Fees in Lieu of Security Deposits
https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Session/2023/BillSummary/Judiciary_JU0133ju_00133.pdf
The Residential Tenancies (HB 1417) legislation is a preempting regulation of residential tenancies and landlord-tenant relationship to state; specifies that act supersedes certain local regulations; reviews how much notice is required to terminate certain tenancies.
HB1417 - Residential Tenancies
https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Session/2023/BillSummary/Judiciary_JU1417ju_01417.pdf
Employment Opportunities
The Administration is working on identifying community partners to assist with promoting available employment opportunities for Miami Beach residents who are income-challenged or have limited access to information on employment opportunities.
Fiscal Impact: The Tenant Defense Program is funded by HOME-ARP funds in the amount of $183,801.