Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1938FY0001 Temporary Financial Assistance For Families Program
Requester:		Hilda M. Fernandez			Organization:		Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust
Project Title:		Temporary Financial Assistance For Families Program			Date Submitted:		2/8/01 2:53:41 PM
Sponsors:		Edward Bullard
Statewide Interest:		Addresses gaps in housing and services for homeless persons throughout the state (approx. 55,000)
Recipient:		Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust			Contact:		Hilda M. Fernandez
		111 N.W. 1 Street			Contact Phone:		(305) 375-1490
		Miami 33128
Counties:		Dade
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
The program will provide financial assistance, supportive services and case management for families with minor children who are transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing. The program is overseen by the Department of Children and Families, which contracts with the Florida Coalition for the Homeless, which in turn subcontracts with 28 agencies throughout the State who work directly with homeless families. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami operates the program in Miami-Dade County. Program-funded services are available to families only on a short-term basis, which is a consequence of the federal regulations governing this type of use of TANF funds. However, agencies combine these efforts with other efforts they undertake. The program also features many aspects that promote sustained access to decent and affordable housing, including housing locator assistance, budgeting assitsance, and inspection of units to assure adequate housing quality, review of leases, and availability of assistance for six months of housing placement. Of the initial group of families placed in permanent housing, 96% remained housed after 3 months. Statewide, the first-year appropriation for the program was $5,000,000, of which $1,170,000 was allocated to serve homeless families in Miami-Dade. The program is by far the largest program targeted to homeless people in the entire State budget. Failing to renew funding for the program will have a devastating effect on homeless families, particularly in communities like Miami-Dade, which face such critical affordable housing shortages.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Number of persons placed in permanent housing; number of persons retaining permanent housing/reduction in new episode of homelessness.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$5,000,000
Identify item(s) in the Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:
Specific Appropriation Title:			From General Revenue or an appropriate existing Trust Fund
Amount to be reduced:			$5,000,000
Fund Source:			Trust Fund
Total cost of the project:			$6,100,000
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
Type of funding match:		Local
	Total Cash Amount:		$1,100,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Yes
	Fiscal Year:		2000-2001		Amount:		$5,000,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$5,000,000
	Purpose for future year funding:					Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?						Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Annual Report by the Department of Children & Families indicating more than 55,000 homeless in Fla.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:		1/17/01