How Miami Is Solving Homelessness—And Why Other Cities Won’t | Ron Book

What if the real solution to homelessness isn’t more shelters—but a complete rethink of how we treat the crisis?

Joining Gregg to talk about it is Ron Book—Lawyer, Lobbyist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee & Chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust. This incredible organization has created what is considered the “National Best Practice Model” for ending homelessness.

In this episode of Cut to the Chase, Ron gives us some “compassionate tough love” as he reveals how Miami-Dade went from over 8,000 people living on the streets to less than 900. He breaks down Miami-Dade’s approach which includes focusing on long-term housing solutions, running the Trust like a business, and never being afraid to own mistakes, iterate, and try new approaches.

Tune in to learn the realities of affordable housing in America, myths around encampments and panhandling, and the key behind Miami’s success in reducing houselessness.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Inside Miami’s homelessness model: A business-like approach with zero debt, full audits, and reinvested rent
• The housing-first reality behind homelessness—and why Miami turns hotels and federal land into homes, not shelters
• Why street encampments and panhandling aren’t compassion—they’re barriers to real recovery and lasting change
• “The Lazarus Project”: The organization that sends medical teams to the streets to connect the chronically homeless with long-term care
• Why tiny homes aren’t a gimmick—when done right, they’re a scalable, dignified solution with real impact
• The secret to Miami’s success: $47 million in dedicated annual funding, strong leadership, and a disciplined plan

 

Key Takeaways:

• End Homelessness, Don’t Maintain It: Real change means moving people off the streets—not enabling sidewalk survival with panhandling and handouts.
• Treat Homelessness Like a Business: Track outcomes, audit every dollar, and require buy-in from residents—accountability drives lasting solutions.
• Repurpose What Exists: Transform hotels, federal land, and underused spaces into scalable housing—from tiny homes to transitional facilities.
• Fund Solutions, Not Symptoms: A dedicated food and beverage tax powers Miami-Dade’s long-term success—proving the value of steady funding.
• Build with a Plan, Not Politics: Success comes from a clear strategy, strong leadership, and community buy-in—not short-term fixes.

 

Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss our next deep dive on Cut to The Chase: Podcast with Gregg Goldfarb!

 

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Resources:

• Learn more about Ronald L. Book, P.A.: https://rlbookpa.com
• Connect with Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronald-l-book-p-a
• Miami-Dade Homeless Trust: https://www.homelesstrust.org
• The Miami Foundation: https://miamifoundation.org
• National Coalition for the Homeless: http://nationalhomeless.org
• Federal HUD (Housing and Urban Development): https://www.hud.gov
• Desmond Meade's Story and the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition: https://floridarrc.com
• Veterans Homelessness Programs: https://www.va.gov/homeless
• United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH): https://www.usich.gov
• WSJ: “America Is Pushing Its Workers Into Homelessness”: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}