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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Sam Gil
Camillus House
305-374-1065 ext. 328 (office)
samgil@camillus.org • www.camillus.org
MIAMI CITY COMMISSION APPROVES CAMILLUS HOUSE’S SPECIAL EXCEPTION - CLEARING FINAL HURDLE TOWARD NEW FACILITY
MIAMI (July 27, 2006) --- Today the Miami City Commission made good on a long-standing promise to permit Camillus House to relocate to an expanded 340-bed overnight shelter, treatment and job training facility. In so doing, it makes possible Camillus’ promise to the citizens of Miami to eliminate chronic homelessness within 10 years. The new facility will replace two 100-bed buildings – one on 726 NE 1st Avenue and the other on 2735 NW 10th Avenue.
Last September, Mayor Manny Diaz brokered a three-way agreement among the City, University of Miami and Camillus House whereby Camillus would swap its lease on State-owned land on NW 7th Avenue for other State and University-owned land immediately south of the leased Camillus site. For the past several months, Camillus House has been applying for and receiving the City approvals needed to begin construction on the new site, once the State/ University/ Camillus land swap takes place, which is now scheduled in September.
Camillus House first began its search for permission to build a new home in 1984. Noting that the television show, Miami Vice, also premiered in that year, Dr. Paul R. Ahr, Camillus House President and CEO said: “This week we are hearing a lot about Miami Vice. This is a tale of Miami virtue: Elected officials in Miami providing the leadership to add thousands of new jobs at UM and Camillus House, while providing Camillus House with the means to solve a critical public problem with private funding.”
In addition to thanking Mayor Diaz and the City Commissioners, Dr. Ahr singled out for special recognition former Commissioner Johnny Winton, former City Manager Joe Arriola, and Otto Boudet, formerly of his staff, Sergio Rodriguez of the University of Miami and Camillus House Board Member Roger Carlton, all of whom were instrumental in the development and successful implementation of this project.
Today’s 5-0 vote by the Miami City Commission in favor of allowing Camillus House to relocate represents a significant milestone for the charity and an important step for the City of Miami and the overall community. The comprehensive facility now being planned will nearly double Camillus House’s ability to effectively treat substance abuse and mental illness. The new 340-bed facility will allow Camillus House to successfully rehabilitate 120 chronically homeless individuals each year. The Federal government defines a person who is “chronically homeless” as someone who has been homeless for a year or longer (or experienced four episodes of homelessness in three years) and who has a disabling condition – a physical, mental, or substance abuse problem, or a combination of these.
Camillus House is committed to reaching these individuals in Miami – an estimated 830 persons – with a comprehensive, proven plan of action enabling them to build and reclaim their lives. Nearly 9 of every 10 individuals entering Camillus House’s residential treatment program for substance abuse and mental illness successfully complete it, making it one of the most effective for profit or not-for-profit programs in the country.
Camillus House has provided humanitarian services to the poor and homeless populations of Miami-Dade County for more than 46 years. Established by the Brothers of the Good Shepherd in 1960, Camillus House has grown steadily over the years from a small soup kitchen into a full service center offering a comprehensive “continuum of care” for persons who are poor and homeless.
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