FL- Some sex offenders find housing

8-18-2009 Florida:

Progress is being made in relocating convicted sex offenders from the Julia Tuttle Causeway, but advocates still need more housing options.

The number of homeless convicted sex offenders who set up an encampment under the Julia Tuttle Causeway is slowly dwindling, but activists say they still need affordable housing for the many who still remain.

At its height, about 70 sexual offenders and predators -- as well as some other homeless people -- lived under the bridge, attracting unflattering national media attention for Miami. Now there are fewer than 50 people.

Two left Monday, with the help of Ron Book, chairman of Miami-Dade's Homeless Trust, who has sought to relocate residents.

It's no easy task.

Most local laws require sex offenders to live at least 2,500 feet away from where children congregate: schools, playgrounds, parks and even some libraries. The laws are being challenged on a variety of legal fronts.

The area under the bridge is controlled by the state Department of Corrections, and government officials in both Miami and Miami-Dade County have urged the state to remove the dwellers.

Some have left on their own accord, tired of the media attention. Others, however, have received help from Book and his agency, which helps provide shelter and treatment for the homeless.

In recent weeks, the agency has run several ads in local newspapers calling on all willing owners of local housing units to contact the agency.

Book said the agency will receive federal stimulus money in September to help jobless or underemployed offenders afford their own homes. The agency has agreed to pay for the first and last month's rent at every offender's newly acquired housing unit -- and, if needed, could pay for several more months.

All the offenders would have to do is comply.

But it's not that simple. Some don't want to move -- that is, with the agency's help.

For two men who call themselves Reggie and Joey, their defiance sprouts from distrust: They said they've heard these promises before. And while release from the fetters of makeshift shanties, colorful tents and cardboard boxes sounds tempting, they say it's not real.

``I should have been in an apartment three weeks ago,'' Joey said Monday.

The 36-year-old said the agency promised him a check after he found a suitable apartment. The check never came, and the landlord refused to work with the agency, causing the rental agreement to dissolve, he said.

Book acknowledges there have been setbacks, but blames the resistant offenders for not taking part in the program.

``We're serious about resettling these folks,'' he said. ``We're going to move as aggressively as possible to do what we can.''

Book points to a couple -- a sex offender husband who lived under the bridge and his nonoffender wife -- who were transported to a new location Monday morning. Days earlier, a handful of others were moved to affordable housing.

Book has explored about 95 different properties, noting he got a tremendous response from ads placed in The Miami Herald and a few other local papers.

``We received several dozen calls, so we felt it was a good investment,'' Book said. ``Our staff is pursuing locations, some of which may work, some that don't comply with the law . . . but I have different needs in different parts of the community.''

He said some of the offenders have jobs in the restaurant industry and need to have access to transportation.

The North Miami-Dade Correctional facility remains an option, but cannot be the sole solution, he said.

``We have a population that is somewhat selective where they are willing to live,'' he said. ``But there is going to come a time when we may be out of housing and they may be out of luck.'' ..Source.. by JULIE BROWN AND JOSE PAGLIERY