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Homeless Trust reallocates $562,000 state grant, backs recovery center for people with severe mental illness
Summary
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust voted to reallocate a state nonrecurring grant and seek matching funds to help open a recovery center providing up to 45 beds — including 12–15 respite beds — to serve people with severe mental illness and to divert people from jail.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust voted to reallocate a state nonrecurring grant of $562,000 and seek an additional $562,000 match to support a recovery center intended to serve people with severe mental illness.
The item, approved by voice vote, directs the trust to move a previously approved $562,000 allocation from a Camillus House project to a new recovery center that the trust expects will provide up to 45 beds, including a set-aside of 12 to 15 respite-care beds for people recovering from serious illness or injury and intersecting with Jackson Health System.
“The proposal before you today takes an item you’ve already approved … and allocate those funds to the recovery center,” said the presenter, describing the state grant as the funding being reallocated. The trust plans to match the $562,000 to yield a total of $1,124,000 toward the project.
Why it matters: trustees said the center is intended to create an alternative to arrest and inpatient involuntary holds for people with severe mental illness, allowing outreach teams and diversion partners to place people in treatment without requiring an arrest or Baker Act. Board members and partner agencies framed the site as part of a broader strategy to reduce jail recidivism for people with serious behavioral-health needs.
Key details: participants said the recovery center will include single-unit rooms and a mix of diversion, respite and longer-stay beds. The trust noted ongoing coordination with Jackson Health System for medical and clinical pathways and with the county’s mayoral team and commissioners on an aggregate funding package. The presenter said the $562,000 state grant has been received by the trust since 2021 as a nonrecurring grant and that the trust is seeking other funding to complete the full operating and capital plan.
Board discussion and endorsements referenced long-standing involvement by local advocates and officials: Judge Leifman’s role in advancing the concept, Mayor Daniela Levine Cava’s leadership on the funding package, and Commissioner Raquel Regalado’s support for prioritizing continuum-of-care linkages. The trust also said the item would be brought to the Board of County Commissioners for complementary funding as needed.
Vote and next steps: The board approved the motion by voice vote; members signified “aye” and the chair announced, “Motion’s adopted.” Staff said they will return with a proposed budget and procurement steps for operating the facility.
Limitations: the trust did not present a full FY 2025–26 budget at the meeting; trustees and staff said additional funding sources remain under discussion and that the $1,124,000 figure reflects the state grant plus the proposed 100% match.
