Assisted Living Facilities
Helen Sawyer Plaza Assisted Living Facility
In 1999, the Miami-Dade Housing Agency (MDHA) opened Helen Sawyer Plaza Assisted Living Facility, the first licensed public housing Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in the nation. Helen Sawyer Plaza ALF was conceived by MDHA as a way to meet the physical and emotional needs of elderly public housing residents. The concept evolved from a lack of affordable housing alternatives to meet the demand for senior housing and a need for new funding sources to satisfy the problem of long-term care. Yearly cost to support one resident in a nursing home is $38,000 vs. $12,000 for yearly support in an ALF — clearly a savings.
Helen Sawyer Plaza facts:
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104 apartments (21-one-bedroom units and 83 efficiencies)
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State-sponsored Medicaid waivers, its Optional State supplement, and USHUD rental subsidies support the program in its entirety;
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Average resident is a female, in her 80's, who stays an average of 35 months;
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Forty percent of the residents are former residents of nursing homes;
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Avoids the premature placement of residents in more expensive health-care facilities
The Helen Sawyer ALF has received numerous awards, including
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Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo)
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Human Services Award from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
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Local Best Practice Award form the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ward Tower Assisted Living Facility
Ward Tower Assisted Living Facility, partially funded with a HOPE VI grant, is the first facility constructed specifically for low-income elderly residents who want to live in a safe and comfortable place to enjoy their golden years.
The Ward Tower ALF is a 100-unit, five-story building connected to a one-story service center that will offer residents a range of all-inclusive amenities, including 24-hour staffing, security, supportive services, and meals crucial to maintaining an independent lifestyle.
How to Apply
Applications for public housing are available only during the periods of open registration. Visit our Applying for Housing page for details.
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