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The Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA) and Camillus House are continuing their long-standing partnership with an infusion of $475,000 to expand the Miami DDA’s Downtown Enhancement Team (DET) this fiscal year.
This funding reflects a deep commitment to empowering individuals experiencing homelessness with tools, training, and pathways to meaningful employment.
Since 2006, The Miami DDA has partnered with Camillus House to provide economically disadvantaged and formerly homeless individuals opportunities for employment within the agency’s DET Team. The DET team delivers vital services like street sweeping, litter removal, graffiti abatement, sidewalk power-washing, landscaping installation and upkeep, illegal dumping removal, and the maintenance of public Pit Stops.
“Our partnership with the Miami DDA, underscores our shared promise to address homelessness with compassion, accountability, and proven results,” said Eddie Gloria, CEO at Camillus House. “By investing in people and creating pathways to self-sufficiency, we’re not only changing lives, we’re also strengthening our community. This model has already saved the City of Miami millions of dollars by reducing reliance on emergency services.”
“Our mission with the Downtown Enhancement Team goes beyond helping keep Downtown Miami beautiful; it’s about giving people a second chance to rebuild their lives,” said Ivonne Berrios, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and board treasurer at the Miami DDA.
“With this renewed commitment, we look forward to helping even more individuals take meaningful steps forward, while also making our district a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming place for everyone who lives, works, and visits.”
Currently 60 members strong, the DET team collects every month, on average, over 4,500 bags of trash, removes more than 1,000 instances of graffiti, power-washes more than 20 city blocks, and trims trees and overgrown landscaping on more than 30 blocks.
During the Miami DDA’s Quality of Life Committee Meeting on May 9, the committee recommended renewing and increasing funding for the partnership to expand the team to up to 100 individuals. An updated contract, valued at $1.8 million per year, will be presented during the 2025-26 fiscal year and will enable even greater long-term impact.
To learn more about the Miami DDA’s quality of initiatives in Downtown Miami, visit www.MiamiDDA.com.
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