A New Home for Camillus House

Yesterday I was proud to participate in the groundbreaking celebration for the new Camillus House 340-bed center at 1603 Northwest Seventh Avenue. This was a historic day for the City of Miami, and it is a shining example of what can happen when the private sector and the public sector join forces. A partnership between the City of Miami, Camillus House, the State of Florida, the University of Miami and the surrounding neighborhoods have made this day possible.
After 24 years of trying to move to their new home, this partnership has finally resulted in a long-term home for the acclaimed center, the largest and most comprehensive center offering social and clinical treatment services to Miami’s chronically homeless. I am proud to have played a role in bringing all of the parties together and making the move a reality, as Camillus House has always been an integral part in our 10-year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. This plan has served thousands of people with a 78% success rate, and has helped reduce the number of homeless in our city by 39%.
The City of Miami has also established the Miami Cares project - mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to service 650 homeless during a day of assistance. Two-hundred and fifty of those in attendance have been placed in treatment or shelter programs. Camillus House’s new center will be an important tool to fight chronic homelessness, with its increased capacity, innovative design and training programs for Miami’s neediest citizens.
The construction of this new center will also bring economic benefits to the community. There is an immediate investment to build the center, as well as the creation of 60 jobs with an average of $40k/annual salary, which in 10 years is $24 million. Also, the land where the shelter is now will be sold, placing that property back on the tax roll and representing about $800,000 in 10 years.
Because of the importance of Camillus House in our community, I have also pledged $10 million towards this project, which will come from Community Redevelopment Agency funds. These funds will aid Camillus House in their endeavor to end chronic homelessness, a goal that the City also shares.
To learn more about Miami’s homeless Assistance Program, please visit their WEBPAGE.

- Manny