Miami‑Dade summer homeless count falls overall but unsheltered numbers rise; navigation center delayed until year‑end

At the Homeless Trust meeting, staff reported that the August summer point‑in‑time count showed the county’s total homeless population — sheltered and unsheltered — fell about 7%, while the unsheltered population rose about 6% (64 people). The board discussed operational implications, including a delayed navigation center and steps the trust is taking to expand short‑term placement capacity.

The August count showed meaningful reductions in the urban core: the City of Miami’s count declined about 13% (82 people) and Miami Beach’s count fell about 8% (10 people). Increases were recorded in North Miami‑Dade and several municipalities and unincorporated areas including Miami Springs, North Miami Beach, Hialeah and Aventura. Staff cautioned that the point‑in‑time count is a single‑night snapshot; the next federally reported count will take place in the final 10 days of January and is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the annual homeless…