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Hello everyone, my name is Luis Lopez, and I am majoring in political science. I was born in Spain and I moved to Miami when I was ten years old. I am eager to finally meet all of you in person. In my free time, I enjoy walking in the beach, playing soccer and spending quality time with my friends and family. One of my career goals is to work at the United Nations, specifically under the UNESCO branch, which focuses on ensuring that every child in the world has access to a proper education. I strongly believe that by providing children with access to a high-quality education, some of the world’s biggest problems could be mitigated. Over the next three years I plan on learning more about our current way of addressing education on a global level while advocating for changes that ensure that every child in the world has access to a reliable education.

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I attended the informational session on Thursday, September 16th. I have to be honest, although I had previously used the learning resources available to me, Professor Duque exposed multiple ways to maximize how we use the learning resources. I had previously used the learning resources to attend english tutoring and although it was very helpful, I believed there was little more to learning resources. Professor Duque showed us that there are many resources that can be hard to find if the student does not use the right searching methods. Personally, I was amazed by the amount of information available at the MDC library. I was unaware that we had the ability to read news articles, videos, databases, opinions, etc... I was also impressed by how easy it was to search for specific topics, and the vast amounts of information that could be found in a matter of seconds. Another thing that caught my attention was the citation aid provided by learning resources, I usually go to websites outside of MDC where I am forced to watch videos in order to cover citations and other information. I was completely unaware that there was a section designated just for that.

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Video about homelessness in Miami, year 2019

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Video about homelessness in Miami, year 2019

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The homeless in downtown Miami want more public restrooms

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1) Cahill, Meagan E., and Rachel S. Franklin. “THE MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP GAP, HOME FORECLOSURE, AND NATIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.” Journal of Regional Science, Received: February 2012; revised: September 2012; accepted: October 2012., vol. 53, no. 1, Blackwell Publishing Inc, 2013, pp. 91–117, doi:10.1111/jors.12014.

- I plan on using this journal to expose the common problems related to homeownership, with a special emphasis on the homeownership gap between high and low income residents of Miami-Dade County. This is a great resource because it focuses specifically in the home ownership data and information of Miami-Dade County. In addition, it also focuses on the home foreclosure issue of Miami-Dade County, information that I will use to provide further information on the magnitude of the problem.

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First published:

An earlier version of this paper was presented at The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, November 6-8, 2011, Chicago, Illinois and at the Annual North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International, November 9-12, 2011, Miami, Florida. The authors would like to thank the conference participants, two anonymous journal referees, and the editors for their insights, discussions, and advice that were helpful in revising this paper.

Get access to the full version of this article. View access options below.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the interplay between nativity and both homeownership and foreclosure in Miami-Dade County, Florida at both the individual and community levels. We estimate the likelihood of individual-level home ownership based on place of birth and year of entry to the U.S., and separately estimate community-level foreclosures based on the demographic composition of neighborhoods. Results confirm previous work: all subgroups, except Cubans, are less likely to be homeowners than white, non-Hispanics and only Cuban neighborhoods had foreclosure rates significantly lower than rates in white, non-Hispanic neighborhoods. Nativity has a stronger effect on homeownership than on foreclosure levels.

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THE MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP GAP, HOME FORECLOSURE, AND NATIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM MIAMI‐DADE COUNTY*

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First published: An earlier version of this paper was presented at The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, November 6-8, 2011, Chicago, Illinois and at the Annual North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International, November 9-12, 2011, Miami, Florida.

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2) Ellen, Ingrid Gould, et al. “The Foreclosure Crisis and Community Development: Exploring REO Dynamics in Hard-Hit Neighborhoods.” Housing Studies, vol. 30, no. 4, Routledge, 2015, pp. 535–59, doi:10.1080/02673037.2014.882496.

- I plan on using this article as a way to expose the problem with REO real-estate, also known as bank owned property. This article focused on certain areas of Miami-Dade County and exposes and identifies some of the hardest hit communities in the county. In addition, the article also focuses on the quality of life that the residents of the areas affected are able to reach once a considerable number of the area's property is owned by banks and mortgage companies.

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As the foreclosure crisis continues, many communities are faced with a glut of properties that have completed the foreclosure process and are now owned by banks or other mortgage lenders. These properties, referred to as "real estate owned (REO)," often sit vacant for extended periods and, recent studies suggest, depress neighboring property values. They also impose significant costs on local governments, which must try to address the risk of crime, fire, and blight that vacant buildings pose. In addition, many worry that REO properties sold to unscrupulous short term investors hasten neighborhood decline.

Policy makers at all levels of government have adopted a variety of strategies to deal with REO properties. These strategies include demolition, vacant property registries, incentives for bulk sales by financial institutions to non-profits or governments, subsidies for acquisition and renovation of vacant homes by non-profits, and subsidies for new owner-occupants to buy REO properties. However, policymakers must often craft policies with little understanding about the nature of the market for REO properties, and how it varies across different housing markets. As a result, there is little agreement on such basic questions as how policymakers should promote investment in the REO stock by responsible for-profit investors, whether bulk sales should be encouraged, whether financing restrictions on the buyers of multiple properties should be lifted, and whether "rehab to rent" or "rent to own" models for REO properties should be encouraged.

Our paper aims to shine some empirical light on the REO problem - by studying the volume and characteristics of properties entering bank ownership, the length of time they stay in bank ownership, and what happens to those properties after they are sold to private owners. Earlier studies have focused on individual cities, typically those with severely distressed housing markets or submarkets (e.g., Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago), and analyze data only through 2008 or 2009. Our paper adds to the existing literature by analyzing patterns in three cities with very different market conditions: Atlanta, Miami and New York City. We use consistent metrics to allow for direct comparisons. We also address a broader set of questions than earlier studies - most notably, we track longer term outcomes of properties that sell out of REO to see how quickly they resell again, and whether they re-enter foreclosure. Finally, we analyze data through 2011 to better gauge current conditions.

We undertake our analysis using a combination of longitudinal administrative data sets on foreclosure filings, auction sales, and property transactions. We are able to calculate for each city REO inflow, outflow and inventory size. We can also determine who owns the REO properties (FHA, GSEs, private lenders) and examine how concentrated they are in particular neighborhoods. We can track which properties are selling out of REO and at what rate and estimate who is buying them (owner-occupiers, small investors, large investors). Finally we can examine how quickly investors are reselling the properties they purchase, track subsequent transactions, and explore implications for neighborhoods.

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Paper: The Foreclosure Crisis and Community Development: Exploring REO Dynamics in Hard-Hit Neighborhoods (2012 APPAM Fall Research Conference (November 8 - 10, 2012))

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As the foreclosure crisis continues, many communities are faced with a glut of properties that have completed the foreclosure process and are now owned by banks or other mortgage lenders. These properties, referred to as "real estate owned (REO)," often sit vacant for extended periods and, recent studies suggest, depress neighboring property values.

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Miami Dade County Median 1 bed-room rent

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Miami Dade County Median 1 bed-room rent

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WHY DOES MIAMI HAVE A HOMELESS CRISIS?

Over the past year I have had the opportunity to work for a congressional office. Here I have been able to learn about the needs that our community is currently facing. The access to affordable housing has always been a problem in the Miami area, although the covid-19 pandemic has seriously aggravated the problem. Although an eviction me-moratorium was set in place, it ended on August 26th, leaving thousands of people in the community vulnerable to being evicted. Section 8 housing applications should be used as a way to measure the seriousness of this crisis. More than 90,000 people in Miami Dade County applied for the chance to win just over 5,000 slots in the affordable housing plan. I strongly believe that it is only a matter of time before the U.S has a huge homeless crisis that will make national headlines. I believe that with the help of the Miami community, we can help alleviate and mitigate some of the problems that our community is facing.

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Good morning everyone, my name is Luis Lopez.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a sophomore student at Miami Dade College studying Political Science, with the ultimate goal of focusing on public policy and educational reform. I am 19 years old. I am originally from Spain and I have been living in Miami for the past 8 years.

The topic of my research is: WHY DOES MIAMI HAVE A HOMELESS CRISIS?

I selected this topic because, in my opinion, this is one of the biggest problems that Miami is currently facing, as a matter of fact, most major cities in the nation are seeing an increase in the number of homeless people living in their streets.

My research shows several studies both at a local and national level. The researches focus on the major causes for the increase in homeless residents as well as past legislations and notorious court cases that have influenced the way Miami is currently tackling this problem.

My thoughts are that, it is extremely sad to see such a high the number of Miami residents that depend on affordable housing and that are currently living in the streets. The past Section 8 housing application in Miami Dade County clearly showed the lack of planning and resources that are being invested into this crisis. Over 90,000 people applied for Section 8 housing, while less than 6,000 thousand residents received affordable housing. I have high hopes that with enough citizen awareness and political initiatives, the homeless crisis in Miami and in the rest of the U.S can be solved.

The title of the sources I used for my talks were the following:

THE MINORITY HOMEOWNERSHIP GAP, HOME FORECLOSURE, AND NATIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.”

“Fair Housing Act - Standing and Proximate Cause - Bank of America Corp. V. City of Miami.

“The Foreclosure Crisis and Community Development: Exploring REO Dynamics in Hard-Hit Neighborhoods.”

Does anyone have any questions? Please feel to ask me.

Thank you for listening. I hope you have a great day.

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As the Miami area slowly recuperates from the harsh pandemic, some of the problems that could be seen prior to the pandemic have become more visible. With no doubt, the homeless crisis occurring around Miami is a serious problem that requires urgent attention from politicians and the community. If we do not take action, the outcomes could produce a series of events that will be catastrophic for the economy and the well-being of Miami.

It is true that the government has invested vast amounts of resources to tackle this problem in the past. According to a housing study, “The federal government has already spent or allocated almost $7 billion on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), which provides money to local governments and non-profits to address REO and other vacant properties.” (Ingrid, 2015).  Since this study was published, the local and federal governments have invested millions of dollars into the housing crisis, finding little success in eradicating the high amount of homelessness around the nation. It is clear that the current plan used to tackle this problem is not effective. Although providing NGO’s and local governments with funds can result effective at times, the problem arises on the long run. It is crucial that homeless residents receive the proper tools that allow them to reincorporate into society and acquire the sufficient funds and opportunities to restart their lives.

One can also look at the fair housing act that followed the Bank of America Corp. v. City of Miami suit to find further evidence on why it is so hard for Miami or any other major city in the nation to tackle the problem of homelessness. As provided by this case, “At the peak of the recession in 2010, when foreclosures numbered 2.9 million nationwide, nearly 500,000 of the foreclosed homes were located in Florida.” (Harvard, 2017). The increase in population and the mass migrations of Latin American citizens have aggravated the homeless crisis in Miami.

It is also important to take into account that the housing market and low ability for urban development in the past has only aggravated the problem. As this journal mentioned, “along with many other fast‐growing markets across the country, has been disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis that began in the late‐2000s.” (Meagan and Rachel, 2012). Both writers provided data on the significance and role that immigrants have played in the steep rise in home prices in Miami. The racial profiling and loan abuse by banks as well as the disproportionate levels of mass migrations into the city, have ignited the homeless crisis in Miami.

In conclusion, Miami’s homeless crisis should be taken very seriously by both politicians and citizens. It is key that residents become aware of the magnitude of the problem. In the near future, thousands of Miamians could be left without a home. The final effect of this crisis could have serious repercussions in the entire community. In addition, other cities around the nation have applied innovative methods that Miami could replicate in order to tackle the problem. Although this problem could pose a threat to the economic and social stability of Miami, there is still time to take action.

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3) “Fair Housing Act - Standing and Proximate Cause - Bank of America Corp. V. City of Miami.” Harvard Law Review, vol. 131, no. 1, Harvard Law Review Association, 2017, p. 373–.

- I plan on using this article to expose the fair housing act passage and its effects on Miami area residents. In addition, the Bank of America Corp. V City of Miami case will also serve as a way to expose the serious problems associated with the housing crisis and how banks engage in predatory loaning practices around the Miami area. This article will be used as a way to provide possible solutions to the current housing crisis while mentioning how the area has been affected by the banks and all time high prices.

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Fair Housing Act Standing and Proximate Cause Bank of America Corp. v. City of Miami The Fair Housing Act1 (FHA) was the last of the three major civil rights statutes passed in the 1960s, its passage

Fill & Sign Online, Print, Email, Fax, or Download

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fair housing act standing and proximate cause

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Fillable Online Fair Housing Act Standing and Proximate Cause Fax Email Print - pdfFiller

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Fair Housing Act Standing and Proximate Cause Bank of America Corp. v. City of Miami The Fair Housing Act1 (FHA) was the last of the three major civil rights statutes passed in the 1960s, its passage Fill & Sign Online, Print, Email, Fax, or Download

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Why Does Miami Have a Homeless Crisis?

I. Definition/Introduction

1. Background Section 8 housing was opened in Miami Dade County earlier this year. More than 90,000 residents around the county applied for this program. Despite the huge need for affordable housing, only 5,000 people qualified to be part of the program. Politicians along with the community are not doing enough to tackle a problem that can be clearly showed with the numbers I previously provided. It is up to the community to demand further investment into programs similar to section 8 housing and require our representatives to advocate for further funding at a state and national level.

2. Thesis Statement

Indeed, Miami Dade County has a homeless crisis. More than 3,300 residents are currently living in the streets. It is crucial that the community along with local politicians advocate for further investments into programs that provide affordable housing for those in need.

II. Context/History - Tie to Your Neighborhood, Community, or City

A.  Florida is the largest beach tourist destination in the United States.

1. Miami’s median home cost is $398,000.

2. The cost of living of Miami is 42 points above the national average.

B.   More than 90 thousand Miami Dade County residents applied for section 8 housing (affordable housing)

1. Only 5,000 affordable houses were provided by section 8 housing, leaving more than 85,000 people behind.

2. Miami’s infrastructure and high demand for housing does not give an opportunity for low-income residents to afford housing

III. Causes and Consequences

A. Homeless population increase

1. There are currently more than 3,300 residents leaving in the streets of Miami Dade County.

2. Homeless residents are more likely to stay in the streets without access to affordable housing and other government agencies.

B.   Rise in state and government funded programs (do not solve the issue and only partially fix it)

1. Homeless residents are only sustained and rarely obtain an opportunity to leave the streets.

2. Millions of dollars are invested into programs that only alleviate the problem but lack the final stage of providing affordable housing to residents.

IV. Possible Solutions/Community Service-Agencies

1. Increase federal, state and local investments towards affordable housing. It is important that residents are given the option to rent and buy affordable housing.

2. Encourage the local community and residents affected to demand political leaders to take action and advocate for further investment into programs that are directly invested in affordable housing projects.

3.  Encourage Miami Dade College students to raise awareness around the community in order to support community members in need.