R7U - $500 Relief for Homeowners, Tenants

Resolutions - R7 U

R7 U A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION APPROVING THE MIAMI BEACH HOMESTEAD AND TENANT RELIEF PROGRAMS, PROVIDING A ONE-TIME $500 PAYMENT TO THE OWNER(S) OF EACH HOMESTEADED PARCEL (LIMITED TO ONE PAYMENT PER PARCEL), AND PROVIDING A ONE- TIME $500 PAYMENT TO ONE ELIGIBLE TENANT PER RENTAL UNIT, WITH A TOTAL PROPOSED ALLOCATION FOR BOTH PROGRAMS AMOUNTING TO $11,000,000; AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENT OF RESOLUTION NO. 2002- 24764 THAT YEAR-END SURPLUSES, AFTER FUNDING RESERVES, ARE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief programs which protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to promote the City’s stability and welfare. The Homestead Relief program would provide a one-time $500 payment to the owner(s) of each of the 14,095 homesteaded parcels (limited to one payment per parcel), totaling $7,047,500. The Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program would provide a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant per rental unit, up to $3,952,500. Together, the total proposed allocation for both programs is $11,000,000.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the Second Budget Hearing on September 30, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission, upon the recommendation of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, directed staff to develop a plan for distributing $11,000,000 of Fiscal Year 2025 projected surplus funds to residents and to bring the item forward for discussion at the October 29,2025 City Commission meeting.

ANALYSIS

Pursuant to Resolution No. 2002-24764, adopted by the Mayor and City Commission on February 20, 2002 year-end surpluses, after funding reserves, are to be transferred to the Capital Reserve Fund. The Commission would need to waive this financial policy in order to re-direct the capital funding to the resident relief programs. It is worth noting that between FY 2023 and FY 2025, year-end surpluses have contributed between 40% and 80% of the annual General Fund allocations for capital projects, serving as a critical source of funding.

At the Second Budget Hearing on September 30, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission focused their discussion on providing relief to two primary groups: homesteaded property owners and tenants. The Commission highlighted the public benefits associated with government actions that protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to promote a city's stability and welfare.

Besides the recommended programs below, the Commission could decide to provide relief funding to all Miami Beach property owners, of which there are 56,212 parcels, which would equal a payment of approximately $195 per property.

The following are two separate programs that the Administration is recommending implementing to distribute $11,000,000 to residents. The programs would be funded from legally available non- ad-valorem revenues such as business tax receipts, fines and forfeitures, franchise taxes, utility taxes, and interest earnings from non-ad-valorem sources, etc.

Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program

The Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program is intended to provide financial relief to homesteaded property owners who are permanent residents of the City of Miami Beach.

In order to fund this program, the Administration recommends that each of the 14,095 homesteaded parcels (which excludes 11 parcels noted as vacant land and vacant extra features other than parking) receive a one-time check in the amount of $500. All qualified homesteaded parcels as of January 2, 2025, listed in the tax roll provided by the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s Office on October 6, 2025 would be eligible for the program. This would cost $7,047,500.

The cost to implement this program is estimated at $20,000 for the purchase of check stock, toner, postage and some temporary staff. This amount would be included in the November year-end budget amendment to be considered on November 20, 2025. It is expected that the program could be implemented with 90 days of the funding appropriation. Any check not deposited by September 30, 2027 would be voided and returned to the City.

Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program

The Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program will be designed to provide financial relief to income- qualified tenants who reside in the City of Miami Beach as of October 29, 2025. This program will support tenants whose household income is at or below 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by federal guidelines, during the eligibility period from the present date through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026. The Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program will provide a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant per rental unit.

In order to qualify, applicants must:

 

Be a current resident of Miami Beach; Provide valid government-issued identification that matches the address listed on their current lease agreement; and Submit a copy of their 2024 or 2025 federal income tax return to verify income eligibility.

  Appointments to present documentation and complete the application process will be required and may be scheduled through our online appointment portal. For residents who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable using computers, Office of Housing and Community Services staff will be available to assist with scheduling appointments, either in person or by phone. Appointments will be offered on weekdays, evenings, and weekends to ensure broad access and flexibility for working residents.

To implement and operate the program over the next 10 months, the City will utilize existing in- house staff as internal match support. However, to fully support operations, an additional $60,000 is needed to hire temporary staff. These temporary team members will assist with document

intake, eligibility verification, and resident support throughout the duration of the program. This amount would be included in the November year-end budget amendment to be considered on November 20, 2025.

The Commission could consider utilizing a 120% AMI threshold for the first 6 months of the program (April 30, 2026) and then expand to 140% AMI through the end of the fiscal year if funds remain available.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The Financial Impact will be $11,000,000 plus $80,000 to implement the program. Funds would be appropriated at the November 20, 2025 Special Commission meeting for the final Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

TBD during the final Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment.

CONCLUSION

The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief programs which protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to promote the City’s stability and welfare.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Finance

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Mayor Steven Meiner Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt Commissioner Laura Dominguez Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez Commissioner Joseph Magazine

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approve MB Homestead and Tenant Relief Programs. (AF/SM/TB/LD/KRG/JM) FN

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

Resolutions - R7 U

MIAMI BEACH

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

f!v;:, ~

RECOMMENDATION

The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief programs which protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to promote the City's stability and welfare. The Homestead Relief program would provide a one-time $500 payment to the owner(s) of each of the 14,095 homesteaded parcels (limited to one payment per parcel), totaling $7,047,500. The Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program would provide a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant per rental unit, up to $3,952,500. Together, the total proposed allocation for both programs is $11,000,000.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

At the Second Budget Hearing on September 30, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission, upon the recommendation of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, directed staff to develop a plan for distributing $11,000,000 of Fiscal Year 2025 projected surplus funds to residents and to bring the item forward for discussion at the October 29,2025 City Commission meeting.

ANALYSIS

Pursuant to Resolution No. 2002-24764, adopted by the Mayor and City Commission on February 20, 2002 year-end surpluses, after funding reserves, are to be transferred to the Capital Reserve Fund. The Commission would need to waive this financial policy in order to allocate the year-end surplus to the resident relief programs. It is worth noting that between FY 2023 and FY 2025, year-end surpluses have contributed between 40% and 80% of the annual General Fund allocations for capital projects, serving as a critical source of funding.

At the Second Budget Hearing on September 30, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission focused their discussion on providing relief to two primary groups: homesteaded property owners and residential tenants. The Commission recognized the public benefits associated with government actions that protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to promote a city's stability and welfare.

Besides the recommended programs below, the Commission could decide to provide relief funding to all Miami Beach property owners, of which there are 56,212 parcels, which would equal a payment of approximately $195 per property.

The following are two separate programs that the Administration is recommending implementing to distribute $11,000,000 to residents. The programs would be funded from legally available unrestricted non-ad-valorem revenues including, but not limited to business tax receipts, fines and forfeitures, and interest earnings from non-ad-valorem sources which non-ad valorem sources have not been collected to fund specific services or improvements that benefit property.

Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program

The Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program is intended to provide financial relief to homesteaded property owners who are permanent residents of the City of Miami Beach. Included within the City Commission's statement of public purpose for this Homestead Relief Program is the objective of providing homesteaded property owners with a one-time payment to manage increasing housing costs thus ensuring housing stability, while the City continues its efforts to develop more permanent solutions for addressing rising property values and financial burdens

In order to fund this program, the Administration recommends that each of the 14,095 homesteaded parcels {which excludes 11 parcels noted as vacant land and vacant extra features other than parking) receive a one-time check in the amount of $500. All qualified homesteaded parcels as of January 2, 2025, listed in the tax roll provided by the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser's Office on October 6, 2025 would be eligible for the program. This would cost $7,047,500.

The cost to implement this program is estimated at $20,000 for the purchase of check stock, toner, postage and some temporary staff. This amount would be included in the November year-end budget amendment to be considered on November 20, 2025. It is expected that the program could be implemented with 90 days of the funding appropriation. Any check not deposited by September 30, 2027 would be voided and returned to the City.

Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program

The Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program will be designed to provide financial relief to income- qualified tenants who reside in the City of Miami Beach as of October 29, 2025. Included within the City Commission's statement of public purpose for this Tenant Relief Program is the objective of fostering housing stability and affordability for qualified low- and moderate-income individuals and families by helping them reduce housing-related financial burdens and related housing costs This program will support tenants whose household income is at or below 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by federal guidelines, during the eligibility period from the present date through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026. The Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program will provide a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant per rental unit.

In order to qualify, applicants must:

• •

Be a current resident of Miami Beach; Provide valid government-issued identification that matches the address listed on their current lease agreement; and Submit a copy of their 2024 or 2025 federal income tax return to verify income eligibility .

• •

• •

Appointments to present documentation and complete the application process will be required and may be scheduled through our online appointment portal. For residents who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable using computers, Office of Housing and Community Services staff will be

available to assist with scheduling appointments, either in person or by phone. Appointments will be offered on weekdays, evenings, and weekends to ensure broad access and flexibility for working residents.

To implement and operate the program over the next 10 months, the City will utilize existing in- house staff as internal match support. However, to fully support operations, an additional $60,000 is needed to hire temporary staff. These temporary team members will assist with document intake, eligibility verification, and resident support throughout the duration of the program. This amount would be included in the November year-end budget amendment to be considered on November 20, 2025.

The Commission could consider utilizing a 120% AMI threshold for the first 6 months of the program (April 30, 2026) and then expand to 140% AM I through the end of the fiscal year if funds remain available.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

The Financial Impact will be $11,000,000 plus $80,000 to implement the program. Funds would be appropriated at the November 20, 2025 Special Commission meeting for the final Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

TBD during the final Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment.

CONCLUSION

The City Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief programs which protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to promote the City's stability and welfare.

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Finance

16

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez Mayor Steven Meiner Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt Commissioner Laura Dominguez Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez Commissioner Joseph Magazine

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approve MB Homestead and Tenant Relief Programs. (AF/SM/TB/LD/KRG/JM) FN

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)

RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION APPROVING THE MIAMI BEACH HOMESTEAD AND TENANT RELIEF PROGRAMS, PROVIDING A ONE-TIME $500 PAYMENT TO THE OWNER(S) OF EACH HOMESTEADED PARCEL (LIMITED TO ONE PAYMENT PER PARCEL), AND PROVIDING A ONE-TIME $500 PAYMENT TO ONE ELIGIBLE TENANT PER RENTAL UNIT. WITH A TOTAL PROPOSED ALLOCATION FOR BOTH PROGRAMS AMOUNTING TO $11,000,000; AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENT OF RESOLUTION NO. 2002-24764 THAT YEAR-END SURPLUSES, AFTER FUNDING RESERVES, ARE TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND.

WHEREAS, at the Second Budget Hearing on September 30, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission, upon the recommendation of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, directed staff to develop a plan for distributing $1 1 ,000,000 of Fiscal Year 2025 projected surplus funds to residents and to bring the item forward for discussion at the October 29,2025 City Commission meeting; and

WHEREAS, the Commission recognized the public benefits associated with government actions that protect and encourage permanent residents to remain to

promote a city's stability and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Administration has developed a program for consideration by the City Commission that would provide a one-time $500 payment to the owner(s) of each homesteaded parcel (limited to one payment per parcel) (the “Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program”), and providing a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant per rental unit (the “Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program”, and together with the Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program, the “Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief Programs”), with a total proposed allocation for both programs amounting to $11,000,000; and

WHEREAS, on February 20, 2002, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2002-24764 that requires, in part, that year-end surpluses, after funding reserves, are to be transferred to the Capital Reserve Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Commission would need to waive this financial policy in order to re-allocate the year-end surplus to the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief Programs; and

WHEREAS, the Administration notes that between Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2025, fiscal year-end surpluses have contributed between 40% and 80% of the annual General Fund allocations for capital projects, serving as a critical source of funding; and

WHEREAS, based on discussion of the Mayor and City Commission at the Second Budget Hearing on September 30, 2025, the Commission discussed including two groups of residents in the proposed relief program: homesteaded property owners and residential tenants; and

WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief Programs would be funded from legally available, unrestricted non-ad-valorem revenue sources including, without limitation, business tax receipts, fines and forfeitures, and interest earnings from non-ad-valorem sources, which non-ad valorem sources have not been collected to fund specific services or improvements that benefit property; and

WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Homestead Relief Program is intended to provide financial relief to homesteaded property owners who are permanent residents of the City of Miami Beach; and

WHEREAS, the Administration recommends that each of the 14.095 homesteaded parcels (which excludes 1 1 parcels noted as vacant land and vacant extra features other than parking) receive a one-time check in the amount of $500 with the program costing $7,047,500, and that any check not deposited by September 30, 2027 would be voided and returned to the City; and

WHEREAS, included within the City Commission’s statement of public purpose for

this Homestead Relief Program is the objective of providing homesteaded property owners with a one-time payment to manage increasing housing costs thus ensuring

housing stability, while the City continues its efforts to develop more permanent solutions for addressing rising property values and financial burdens on homeowners; and

WHEREAS, all qualified homesteaded parcels listed in the tax roll provided by the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s Office as of October 6, 2025 would be eligible for the program; and

WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program is be designed to provide financial relief to income-qualified tenants who reside in the City of Miami Beach as of October 29, 2025; and

WHEREAS, included within the City Commission’s statement of public purpose for this Tenant Relief Program is the objective of fostering housing stability and affordability for qualified low- and moderate-income individuals and families by helping them reduce housing-related financial burdens and related housing costs; and

WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program will support tenants whose household income is at or below 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as defined by federal guidelines, during the eligibility period from the present date through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026; and

2

WHEREAS, the Miami Beach Tenant Relief Program will provide a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant per rental unit; and

WHEREAS, the cost to implement the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief Program is estimated at $80,000 for the purchase of check stock, toner, postage, and temporary staff, and this amount would be included in the November year-end budget amendment to be considered on November 20, 2025.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission approve the Miami Beach Homestead and Tenant Relief Programs, providing a one-time $500 payment to the owner(s) of each homesteaded parcel (limited to one payment per parcel), and providing a one-time $500 payment to one eligible tenant

per rental unit, with a total proposed allocation for both programs amounting to

$11,000,000; and waive the requirement of Resolution No. 2002-24764 that year-end surpluses, after funding reserves, are to be transferred to the Capital Reserve Fund.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this

ATTEST:

Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk

(Sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, Mayor Steven Meiner, Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt, Commissioner Laura Dominguez, Commissioner Joseph Magazine, and Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez)

day of October 2025.

Steven Meiner, Mayor

APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION

la J 28J70 zr

Date

City Attorney

3