Homelessness is rising in Miramar. What solutions are city leaders considering?
The city of Miramar is facing a growing homelessness problem and Broward County has limited programs in place to address it, Police Chief Delrish Moss told commissioners during Wednesday’s bi-monthly meeting.
“We are starting to see more and more unsheltered individuals,” Moss told the commission on Feb. 11.
In a new troubling trend, he said the majority of those living unsheltered are women, some accompanied by young children.
The department conducted a homelessness census in 2025 and identified approximately 117 unsheltered people. This year, officers have identified an additional 26 individuals, including 12 women and five children. One woman was caring for an 11-month-old.
There have been successes, too, Moss said. The department has helped secure housing for about 30 people counted in the census and reunited a handful with family members.
Assigned to help, he said, are the department’s specially trained officers in the Homeless Outreach Services who work directly with those experiencing homelessness to assess their situations and connect them with services.
His officers know that “being homeless is not a crime,” Moss said.
A shortage of shelter space in Broward County — about 600 beds available — has led some officers to pay out of their own pockets to place unhoused residents in hotels for a night.
Among other strategies the city has used is the controversial practice of providing bus tickets to individuals who want to be reunited with relatives or those who refuse help, Moss said.
For example, 12 individuals who refused assistance were provided bus passes, Moss said.
“But that proves to be a revolving door,” Moss said.
Those experiencing homelessness generally fall into three categories: people experiencing a personal housing crisis or domestic abuse, the chronically homeless and individuals struggling with mental illness, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Mayor Wayne M. Messam acknowledged the scale of the problem.
“It’s a growing issue and we are starting to see more unhoused individuals,” he said.
Commissioner Maxwell Campbell suggested the city consider creating an emergency fund to help finance temporary hotel stays for those experiencing homelessness.
