FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 29th, 2025 

Contact: [email protected] 352-792-5361 | [email protected] 305-504-0348 

MEDIA ADVISORY

Miami-Dade Residents and Community Organizations Call on County Leadership to Invest in Essential Services, Not Cut Them

MIAMI, FLORIDA — Catalyst Miami, Engage Miami, PACT, Transit Alliance, Miami Freedom Project, and Miami Workers Center are gathering on September 4th at 3:00pm at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center before the County Budget Hearing to demand a budget that meets the needs of Miami-Dade’s residents. As we face a housing crisis and growing threats to immigrant communities, residents are speaking out against proposed cuts that would eliminate the Office of New Americans,  reduce housing advocacy staff from seven to five, slash $1 million from eviction diversion, and eliminate MetroConnect. Together, these departments and services provide essential support - helping tenants avoid eviction, connecting families to housing and legal aid, and ensuring residents who rely on microtransit options can get to work or a doctor’s appointment. 

When public dollars are taken away from essential services, it’s Black and Brown working-class Miamians who are hit the hardest. These proposed cuts are part of a larger pattern of disinvestment in neighborhoods that have long been excluded from decision-making. With cost of living skyrocketing, residents need more support, not less. Our county budget must reflect community priorities and invest in services that prioritizes Miami-Dade families. 

Public dollars should be used to fund crucial services, not to provide handouts to private corporations like the FIFA World Cup, which is receiving a  $46 million subsidy while our communities suffer. We call on County leadership to prioritize people over developer interests - investing in housing, transit, and community services- not pouring more into the Sheriff’s already inflated $1 billion budget while we face a $400 million shortfall. Our communities deserve a budget that meets people’s needs.

Event Details: 

When: Thursday, September 4th  2025, 3:00 PM EST

Where: Stephen P. Clark Government Center 111 NW 1st St, Miami, FL 33128

Hosted by: Engage Miami, Catalyst Miami, PACT, Transit Alliance, Miami Freedom Project, and Miami Workers Center