CUTLER BAY, Fla. — What used to be a La Quinta hotel is now Hideaway, a new permanent housing facility designed for homeless adults in Cutler Bay.
The conversion means as many as 130 people will eventually live there, moving out of area shelters and into a place they can call home.
For Cleveland Eans, of Coconut Grove, the change has been life-altering. He has been living at Hideaway for two and a half months.
“I couldn’t have found a better location at the price for me because my previous residence. It’s how I became homeless because I couldn’t afford the rent,” Eans said.
Before moving into Hideaway, Eans said he spent eight months in a homeless shelter.
“It means the world not to be living in an open dormitory with other people sleeping next to you, with people you don’t know. You got your own everything,” he said.
Eans is one of 61 residents now at Hideaway. Director Denny Baldonado said Eans has become an active member of the community.
“He helps out on the trips. He knocks on the door. I think he feels like he’s a part of something. I think that in itself kind of switched in his head, like ‘wow, I’m comfortable here,’” Baldonado said.
The facility offers meals, furnished bedrooms and support aimed at helping residents regain independence.
“We don’t offer transportations services. We teach them to be independent. We teach them how to use tools that are accessible to them. Metroconnect, the regular county bus line, how to get on trains. We help them that information they have lost,” Baldonado said.
Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, said all residents are vetted before moving in.
“The folks at Hideaway are going to be great members of your community. We love that you are welcoming our residents in,” Book said.
Book acknowledged the project faced early challenges.
“All of the residents that live here are senior citizens and while the mayor wasn’t a fan early on, I think the mayor realizes today that the things we represented to him, to his council and to the community as a whole were real,” he said.
Cutler Bay Mayor Tim Meerbott celebrated with residents during the opening, even joining them in a dance.
“Once we got on the same page in recognizing that there as a sector that we both could help and work together. We’ve done a great job, I think,” Meerbott said.
Eans said the affordability and stability have changed his outlook.
“I can afford this and it doesn’t take up 80% of my disability check. I have plenty money left over for extracurricular activities, if I want to. That’s the main thing. Having extra cash in my pocket,” he said.
Organizers say they are now seeking donations of gently used clothing and instruments. Some residents are musicians, and Hideaway leaders hope to organize musical activities in the future.
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