Community Partnership for Homeless, is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3)
corporation, governed by a Board of Directors. The current Chairman is
Robert E. Chisholm and the Founding Chairman is Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Our
mission is to operate two Homeless Assistance Centers and to raise the
private funding necessary to assist in the implementation of the
Miami-Dade County Community Homeless Plan. Community Partnership for
Homeless is further committed to assisting the Miami-Dade County
Homeless Trust in this implementation through encouraging private sector
involvement.
Community Partnership for Homeless grew out of the grave concern local
citizens and politicians had about the growing problem of homelessness.
The late Governor Lawton Chiles appointed a blue-ribbon panel
(“Governor’s Commission on Homeless”) to address this issue. The
Governor’s Commission on Homeless in 1992 and 1993 developed a strategic
plan to serve the homeless. This plan called for a joint public–private
sector partnership to respond to the growing problem of homelessness
within Miami-Dade County. Community Partnership for Homeless serves as
the private sector partner and the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust is
the public partner.
The capital and operational needs of Community Partnership for Homeless
are funded largely by the one percent sales tax on food and beverages at
certain restaurants in Miami-Dade County. Charitable foundations,
corporations, and individuals provide the remainder of the financial
needs of Community Partnership for Homeless.
Currently, Community Partnership for Homeless operates two Homeless
Assistance Centers – The Chapman Center in downtown Miami and the South
Miami-Dade Center in Homestead.
The accomplishments of Community Partnership for Homeless have been
exceptional. Since opening our doors in 1995, 61.26% of our former
residents have successfully moved off the streets of Miami-Dade and on
their way to attaining greater stability and self-sufficiency. Clearly,
the greatest accomplishment, however, is the difference being made in
the lives of the homeless from within our community.
