MIAMI – A blaming game ensued over the weekend after a hostel meant for tourists in South Beach became a temporary shelter for a group of dozens without housing who had traveled from a shelter in Miami.
Miami Beach officials blamed Miami officials for a lack of coordination and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust for punishing them over a tax to fund services for the homeless.
Miami officials blamed Camillus House, a nonprofit shelter that has provided services for the homeless for over half a century. And, the nonprofit blamed Miami officials.
“Despite ongoing negotiations regarding a rate dispute, Camillus House terminated services, prompting our swift action to secure temporary shelter, ensuring uninterrupted care and meals,” Miami city officials said in a statement released on Saturday.
A group of over 50 without housing packed their belongings without much notice at Camillus House. They got on a bus and arrived at the Bikini Hostel, Cafe & Beer Garden, along West Avenue, near 13 Street.
“The City of Miami, which currently houses over 1,300 homeless individuals from all over Miami-Dade County, worked together with the Homeless Trust to relocate 53 persons displaced by Camillus House,” the city’s spokesperson wrote in the statement.
According to Eddie Gloria, the CEO of Camillus House, the city of Miami has a pending balance for emergency shelter services that the nonprofit provided last year and earlier this year.
“Camillus House was not advised nor participated in the City’s relocation plan that took place late Friday afternoon. In fact, we were quite surprised and told nothing about their destination,” Gloria said.
Ron Book, the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust chairman, said the Camillus House’s deadline was Friday and the move had nothing to do with Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Antonio Arzola’s decision to deny a lawsuit related to a Miami Beach ballot referendum that city commissioners rescinded.
“Let us get one thing to rest: It wasn’t some conspiracy, there wasn’t any retribution, there wasn’t anything planned,” Book said adding the move was solely attributed to negotiations between representatives of the city of Miami and Camillus House after a rate increase for services.
While Miami Beach officials feared the hostel’s new guests needed services, Miami officials reported the contract with the hostel included two meals daily for 30 days.
“Our priority remains balancing compassion with community concerns, maintaining public safety, and quality of life,” the city of Miami’s statement said later adding the hostel will provide breakfast and dinner and the Chapman Partnership will supply lunch, snacks, and beverages.
The city also reported an outreach team working with the nonprofit Fundación Hermanos de la Calle was helping the group access long-term permanent housing, and the Opportunity Center was helping with job placements. Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust was assisting with medical services.
Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed one of the country’s strictest anti-homelessness measures banning people from sleeping in public parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces.
There is also an affordable housing crisis nationwide. Homeownership has gotten more difficult in Miami and the market between buyers and sellers is out of balance.
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