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P R E S S R E L E A S E
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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| For Immediate Release: | July 28, 2008 |
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| MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOMELESS TRUST PRESENTS CONGRESSWOMAN ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN WITH THE HOMELESS PIONEER AWARD |
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| (MIAMI, July 29, 2008) – Following years of policy work and thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust obtained permission from the Department of Health and Human Services to utilize 52 acres of undeveloped property at the former Homestead Air Force Base to serve as a very unique project serving formerly homeless families. The project shall consist of 145 units of permanent supportive housing (housing with services) for homeless/formerly homeless families. It will feature a landscape/produce nursery and a fresh market retail complex, which will serve as a micro-enterprise for the formerly homeless residents. “Through the tireless efforts of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Federal Government shifted a long-standing policy to allow the implementation of a one of a kind project which will house, provide vocational opportunities, a source of produce and commerce for the general public, and a unique community for homeless people; ultimately we will raise out of homelessness those who are the least, the last and the lost of our community.” The Homeless Trust will present the Homeless Pioneer Award to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for her efforts in bringing about progressive policies to help homeless populations. Past recipients of this Award include Former Mayor Alex Penelas and University of Miami Vice President Sergio Gonzalez. WHAT: Homeless Pioneer Award Honoring Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen will be presented on the future site of the new Homeless Trust Air Force Base Complex. WHO: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Mayor Carlos Alvarez WHEN: August 7, 2008 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Future site of new Homeless Trust Air Force Base Complex 28205 S.W. 125 Ave. Homestead, Fla. Funding for the new project is made possible by the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond program as well as Homeless Trust funds. For Information on this event, please contact David Raymond, Executive Director, Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust at 305-375-1490 or e-mail at dray@miamidade.gov. Property Background: In 1996, the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust acquired 84 acres of surplus property on the Homestead Air Base Military Reservation. This land was made available to Miami-Dade County as a result of the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure review process that realigned Homestead Air Force Base from an active duty base to a reserve base. Thirty two acres were developed which houses the Community Partnership for the Homeless 300-bed, full service Homeless Assistance and 55 units of transitional housing operated by Camillus serving homeless veterans and families. Over 500 homeless individuals and families are currently housed at this site. The remainder of the property, approximately 52 acres, is currently undeveloped. In January 2005 the Homeless Trust contacted the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and requested permission to develop the remainder of this property as Permanent Supportive Housing. Instead of being granted permission to utilize the property for permanent supportive housing, HHS advised that their policy is that permanent housing was not a permissible use under the provisions of the McKinney Act and declared us in breach of our deed. Through the ongoing work of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Washington, HHS granted the Homeless Trust permission to move forward with their project, and ultimately changed their policy to permit permanent supportive housing on the surplus property. It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The facility is accessible. For sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or materials in accessible format, please call (305) 375-1490 at least five days in advance. ### |
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