On March 31, Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Announces Acquisition of Mia Casa, a Community Exclusively for Senior Citizens Who are Experiencing Homelessness
North Miami location is the first of four planned property acquisitions to ease housing needs amidst Miami-Dade’s extremely low-income housing crisis
WHAT: The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust will be celebrating the acquisition of Mia Casa, a community intended just for people 65 and older who are experiencing homelessness. Owned and operated by the Homeless Trust, Mia Casa houses 120 senior citizens who would otherwise be unhoused and on our streets or in general population shelters.
In a community where one in four homeless are over the age of 55, Mia Casa is a milestone project for the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Created to meet the needs of our older homeless population, it’s the first of at least four property acquisitions the Trust is planning to make to help ease the housing needs of clients in the Continuum of Care, expand and control the supply of extremely low-income housing, and stabilize rent, so it’s affordable to this population. This unprecedented acquisition and development commitment will serve no fewer than 550 households experiencing homelessness.
The grand opening celebration will be attended by Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Commission Chair Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien, Homeless Trust Chairman Ronald L. Book, Florida Senator Ileana Garcia, Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development Interim Director Clarence Brown and others.
WHEN: Friday, March 31, 2023, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: Mia Casa, 12221 Harriett Tubman Highway, North Miami. On-site parking available.
PHOTO OPS:
- Unveiling of hand-painted “Tree of Life” mural featuring handprints of all residents.
- Residents host tours of Mia Casa with elected officials and dignitaries.
Background on Casa Mia:
On April 24, 2020, in preparation for and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Homeless Trust began operating a quarantine and isolation site in North Miami, Florida, for senior citizens experiencing homelessness who were at high risk of serious illness from the virus. Dubbed Mia Casa, more than 600 seniors have passed through its doors over the past three years. With the help of a $5 million grant from Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development and $1.75 million from the State of Florida, the Homeless Trust purchased this property on January 31, 2023. A former Assisted Living Facility, the property has 65 rooms and currently houses 120 senior citizens. The Homeless Trust funds the operations of the facility. Mia Casa allows for the quick placement of seniors from the streets, and the Homeless Trust works to bridge seniors living there to other housing in the community.
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Editor’s Note: If you are interested in covering, we ask that you RSVP to the Trust. Mayor Levine Cava, Commissioners and Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book will be available for comments after the briefing and tour of the facility. Contact Lisa Mozloom (lisa@m.network) or Lauren Rigau (lauren@m.network) if interested in attending.