Miami will convert a hotel into a residential building for homeless seniors

An alliance between the City of Miami and the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust has approved the conversion of a hotel into a residential building, which will provide permanent housing for 140 elderly individuals experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Francis Suárez signed the agreement that will transform the La Quinta hotel into permanent homes for homeless seniors currently residing in shelters.

The project has a cost of $15,000,000, of which the city has committed $8,000,000 and $7,000,000 has been contributed by the county.

The investment will turn the recently closed La Quinta Inn hotel, located at 10821 Caribbean Blvd. in Cutler Bay, into a housing complex for vulnerable members of the community.

"Today, I am proud to announce that the city of Miami has partnered with the Homeless Trust in an $8 million initiative to transform the La Quinta hotel, which is closed on the outskirts of Miami, into permanent housing for elderly homeless individuals," Suárez stated.

"This crucial step addresses the crisis of homelessness by providing safe shelter for our most vulnerable residents. With shelters at capacity, housing solutions are more important than ever. This project brings us closer to the goal of zero people experiencing homelessness. Together, we are offering housing, dignity, and hope," emphasized the mayor of Miami.

After the county approved the project, Homeless Trust stated in a press release: “We want to ensure that vulnerable individuals in their later years can age with dignity (...). We will work diligently with our partners to address a critical need in our community and enhance the quality of life for everyone.”

A report from Telemundo51 stated that "this initiative comes at a critical moment," as Miami "is facing an ongoing crisis of homelessness" and has its shelters "at maximum capacity," highlighting the urgent need for long-term housing solutions.

A spokesperson for Homeless Trust stated to CBS News Miami that the contracts for the work have not yet been signed, and the project's completion date has not been established, but they are "under pressure to find housing for homeless individuals," because starting January 1, 2025, sleeping and/or camping in public spaces in Florida will be prohibited.

In mid-October, Miami-Dade opened the application process for the 2024 Public Housing Waiting List, managed by the county’s Public Housing and Community Development Department (PHCD). This program provides the opportunity for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities to access affordable housing.

After a three-year pause, Miami-Dade reopened applications in February for the waiting list for the Section 8 affordable housing program. On the very first day, over 70,000 people registered, vying for 5,000 spots available on the federal subsidized rent program's list, at a time when thousands are impacted by rising rental prices.

In November 2023, two public housing communities in Little Havana were reopened following the renovation of their buildings, totaling nearly 400 apartments. The project was carried out with the aim of "providing public and affordable housing for a variety of populations, including those with limited incomes," according to the authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Conversion of La Quinta Hotel into Housing for Homeless Seniors in Miami