Description
Carrfour Supportive Housing Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 by the Homeless Committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Our mission is to confront homelessness by developing affordable housing and providing supportive services as a pathway to self-sufficiency. We are the largest nonprofit developer in the State of Florida and the only organization providing permanent supportive housing in South Florida. Carrfour has established a substantial local presence by operating 15 housing developments within Miami-Dade County.
Although the need for affordable housing has always been significant, during the recent economic downturn, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people becoming homeless. Florida has the third highest number of homeless people in the nation and many of the people we serve would otherwise remain homeless, caught in a never-ending revolving door of shelters, treatment centers, jails, or emergency rooms with very little hope for long-term stability.
For over 20 years, Carrfour has been developing and constructing secure, attractive, affordable, permanent supportive housing and has provided homes for more than 10,000 homeless individuals. We currently operate 15 developments with 1,320 units, housing 1,718 adults and 1,463 children. Few situations are more damaging to the health and welfare of people than that of homelessness, which can disrupt education or employment and often jeopardizes both mental and physical health. By fusing housing with supportive services Carrfour continues to achieve a 96% success rate in stabilizing residents.
Our unique approach combines very affordable, well maintained housing with comprehensive individualized supportive services to ensure the path to "real stabilization". Residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of programs designed for personal growth and development. These services and programs include: case management, referral services, job placements, life skills training, crisis intervention and much more.
During 2013 Carrfour expanded on its supportive services and initiated a composting project at Verde Gardens, one of Carrfour's largest housing developments with a total population of 536 formerly homeless residents, 346 of which are children. At that development each family has at least one family member impacted with a disability such as a physical, mental health, or substance related disorder. Verde Gardens is connected to a farm and operates a Farmer’s Market, so composting has begun at the farm, housing development and at the Farmer’s Market. In connection with this effort Carrfour was named the 2013 National Development Council (NDC) Academy Innovative Community Development Project.
In recognition of exemplary and innovative use of Community Development Block Grant funds to address the needs of low and moderate income families, homes and neighborhoods Carrfour was selected for a 2013 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement award associated with the management of Parkview Gardens 60-unit affordable housing development in the Liberty City section of Miami that opened in 2012.
During 2013 all of Carrfour’s housing developments delivered crucial supportive services along with safe and appealing housing to residents struggling to overcome poverty and the detrimental effects of homelessness. Residents of all ages were able to expand their horizons and build resiliency with support delivered through case management, life skills training, crisis intervention and healthy activities for children and adults. At this time two additional developments are under construction and expected to provide another 189 housing units - supplying homes for at least 500 people from Miami-Dade County who are currently homeless or in temporary shelters.
