At the end of February and early March 2020, the Trust began enacting its COVID-19 response to protect persons experiencing homelessness, including those in shelters and on the streets. As a result of quickly implementing robust and aggressive protective measures, the positivity rate for persons experiencing homelessness in the county remained at or below two percent, and more than 2,000 individuals have been provided accommodations at quarantine and isolation sites across Miami-Dade.
Just as the Trust started early to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among the homeless population, today they are taking a proactive approach to the growing number of evictions and targeting households most at risk of homelessness to ensure they remain stably housed. The numbers are staggering, with more than 7,100 eviction cases already filed.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust is coordinating the use of CARES Act Emergency Solutions Grant funding and other available funding sources to provide rent and mortgage assistance to individuals and families who are most in need.
Some households will have the means to avoid homelessness by staying with family, but those at a high risk of ending up on the streets can apply to receive crucial assistance provided by the CARES Act. Eligibility is determined by a number of factors, including income and number of persons in a household.
Dollars will be prioritized for extremely low-income households in Miami-Dade County. Residents interested in applying can visit stopevictionnow.org or call the Homeless Helpline (1-877-994-4357) weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.