Homeless or About to Be?

Since emergency shelters in the community do not take walk-ins, the Homeless Helpline is the single best way to identify persons experiencing homelessness.

Mobile outreach teams serve as the “front door” to the homeless system and teams canvas the entire geographic area of Miami-Dade County identifying individuals living in places not meant for human habitation such as the streets, cars, parks or abandoned buildings. Outreach teams also partner with school personnel, police departments and others to identify homeless households.

Outreach teams coordinate with hospitals, courts and other institutions to coordinate and plan the discharge of persons experiencing homelessness.

Designated access points are also established to assess and assist vulnerable homeless sub-populations, including unaccompanied youth, persons fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking and veterans.

For additional resources and support, download this Directory of Services and call 1-877-994-4357.

After calling the Helpline at 1-877-994-4357, services can be accessed at: 

• Camillus House Day Center
• Miami Beach Walk-In Center, 555 17th Street (Miami Beach residents only)

Additional Resources:

Food Assistance

Hot meals are provided to homeless and at-risk households throughout Miami-Dade County thanks in large part to community-based organizations and faith-based groups. Longtime hot meal sites serving primarily unsheltered individuals include:

• Camillus House Day Center
  Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m.
  Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
• Miami Rescue Mission
  Monday - Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa
  Every day, except Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*Note: Feeding dates and times are subject to change.

Showers

• Shower services are available at the following locations:
• Camillus House - Monday - Friday beginning at 6:30 a.m.
• Miami Rescue Mission - Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Mail Services

• Persons who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness can send and receive mail at Camillus House Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. to noon.

Unaccompanied youth and young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 experiencing homelessness can visit any one of these access points:

• Lotus House
• Citrus Health Network Safe Haven
• Educate Tomorrow
• Miami Bridge
• Pridelines 

Persons fleeing domestic violence can also call the Homeless Helpline at 1-877-994-4357, and after selecting a language, press #2. Call Florida’s Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 or visit the Florida Department of Children and Families to learn more about local domestic violence centers.

• Coordinated Victims Assistance Center
• Lotus House
• Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Awareness intervention services programs

Homeless Trust policy prioritizes families with minor children experiencing homelessness for available crisis housing (emergency shelter) ensuring that no child is forced to sleep on the streets. Families can access assistance by calling 1-877-994-4357, and after selecting a language, press options #4 or #5.

Veterans experiencing homelessness can also call the Homeless Helpline at 1-877-994-4357 and after selecting a language, press #2 or call the National Call Center for Veteran Homelessness at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). 

Veterans at-risk of homelessness in Miami-Dade County can connect with the following organizations: 

• Miami Flagler VA Clinic (veterans only)
• The Advocate Program
• Purpose Built Families Foundation Operation Sacred Trust

Our integrated system of care has received national accolades and benefited thousands of veterans in South Florida.

Local and state residency restrictions are in place for sexual offenders and predators residing in Miami-Dade County.