HOmeless advocates seek to relocate sex offenders evicted from the hotel

I think folks should be very concerned by the Homeless Trust's attorney's alleged comment "They didn't have grounds to evict them" because anyone knows, if you own the property you decide who can and cannot live there. Hopefully the Homeless Trust is looking for another attorney with better legal skills. I wonder does the hotel get to KEEP the money they received from the Homeless Trust?

4-22-2010 Florida:

More than a dozen sex offenders who had once lived under the Julia Tuttle Causeway remained in limbo Monday, days after being evicted from the hotel they had been placed in by homeless advocates.

In all, 16 offenders, currently on probation, were kicked out of the Homestead Studio Suites hotel, 6605 NW 7th St., on Saturday, according to Department of Corrections spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger.

An unknown number of other offenders -- no longer on probation -- were also evicted, said Plessinger, whose office tracks those on probation.

Some of those evicted spent the weekend with other offenders, while the rest slept in the parking lot at the probation offices at Northwest 27th Avenue and 79th Street.

It is not the department's responsibility to find housing for the offenders, said Plessinger, who urged all those on probation to contact the office and added that the department will help in any way it can.

One of those displaced, who asked only to be identified as ``Wilson'' out of fear for his safety, admitted Monday he had been living with his sister in the southern part of the county since his eviction.

FRUSTRATED

To Wilson, the situation felt like a bait-and-switch.

``This seems like some sort of scam to clean the bridge out,'' he said, adding he wishes they would be allowed to return the Tuttle. ``I need a place to stay.''

Ron Book, head of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, which had helped to find the men housing, said staff had been working all weekend to find other arrangements.

He said one had been placed, while others were pending.

Book said his attorney told him that the hotel did not have grounds to evict them.

Regardless of what happens next, this much is clear: The men will not be returning to the area under the bridge.

``That is not an option,'' Book said. ``If they go back to the bridge they will be trespassers and subject to arrest.''

Some of the offenders had lived at the Homestead Studio Suites since late February, signing a month-to-month lease for $1,000 a month. The contract stipulated that 30 days written notice was necessary for either side to terminate the agreement.

According to an eviction notice provided to The Miami Herald, the Homestead Suites ordered them out within two hours, pursuant to Florida law.

The law allows immediate eviction under certain circumstances, including those who indulge ``in any language or conduct which disturbs the peace and comfort of other guests or which injures the reputation, dignity, or standing of the establishment.''

No further explanation was given, and the notice threatened those that stayed with a misdemeanor.

Katherine Martinez, Miami's homeless housing supervisor, said the offenders were evicted because the hotel manager, who agreed to the arrangement, had not notified his corporate office, which was against them staying there.

ARREST

Corrections department officials said some of the offenders told them the arrest of Yat Wing Chang, an offender placed in the hotel, had prompted the evictions.

Chang was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation on a minor at a nearby shopping center and remains behind bars at the Dade County jail.

Multiple telephone calls from The Miami Herald to the Homestead Studio Suites corporate office were not returned. ..Source.. JENNIFER LEBOVICH AND ADAM H. BEASLEY