Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Receives $5 Million Grant from Bezos Day 1 Families Fund

Largest Philanthropic Gift in Homeless Trust’s History

The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, the lead agency responsible for the oversight, planning, and operations of Miami-Dade County’s Continuum of Care, has received a $5 million grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This donation is the largest philanthropic gift in the Homeless Trust’s history.

Transformative Gift for Miami-Dade

“Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s transformative gift of $5 million is a lifeline for Miami-Dade,” said Ron Book, Chair, Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. “It comes at a time when too many families are struggling and finding themselves caught up in the housing affordability crisis. We are beyond grateful for their generosity and are committed to making strategic investments to dramatically reduce family homelessness and ensure no child sleeps outside.”

Addressing Family Homelessness

Family homelessness in the U.S. rose dramatically from 2022 to 2023, and families now represent more than 28 percent of the country’s homeless population, according to a 2024 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. With its one-time Day 1 Families Fund grant, the Homeless Trust will work to reverse this national trend by serving families experiencing homelessness throughout Miami-Dade County.

Strategic Investments

Specifically, the Trust plans to use its funds to provide immediate, short-term crisis housing; short- to medium-term rental assistance with supportive services; and through acquisition and renovation, create new housing with supportive services for the most vulnerable families in Miami-Dade.

Impact of Homelessness

“Over the past three years, emergency shelters have seen a 31 percent increase in families with children between the ages of 0-10,” said Victoria L. Mallette, executive director of the Homeless Trust. “We must invest in housing and services that help families experiencing homelessness regain housing stability. This includes the more than 130 families in our care where at least one member of the family is disabled.”

About the Day 1 Families Fund

Since 2018, the Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 248 grants totaling nearly $750 million to organizations serving families in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The grants are uniquely flexible and enable organizations to support families experiencing homelessness—including those who are unsheltered or staying in shelters—to regain safe, stable housing and achieve well-being.

Recent Grant Awards

This year, the Fund issued a total of $110.5 million in grants to 40 organizations, and for the first time, nonprofits in Kansas and New Jersey are among the awardees. The other organization receiving a grant in Florida is the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida.

Conclusion

The $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund will have a significant impact on the lives of families experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County. The Homeless Trust is committed to using these funds to provide critical services and support to help families regain housing stability and achieve well-being.

FAQs

Q: What is the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund?
A: The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund is a philanthropic organization founded by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez to support organizations serving families experiencing homelessness.

Q: What is the purpose of the grant awarded to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust?
A: The grant will be used to provide immediate, short-term crisis housing; short- to medium-term rental assistance with supportive services; and through acquisition and renovation, create new housing with supportive services for the most vulnerable families in Miami-Dade.

Q: What is the impact of family homelessness in the U.S.?
A: According to a 2024 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, family homelessness in the U.S. rose dramatically from 2022 to 2023, and families now represent more than 28 percent of the country’s homeless population.