Ninety-three formerly homeless seniors now live in fully furnished apartments at Hideaway Bay in Cutler Bay, a permanent supportive housing community operated by New Hope CORPS and funded by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
The facility, a converted La Quinta Inn & Suites near the Florida Turnpike and Caribbean Boulevard, marked its one-year anniversary June 30 with a celebration attended by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book, Cutler Bay Town Manager Rafael G. Casals and New Hope CORPS Executive Director Stephen Alvarez.
The Homeless Trust paid $14 million for the hotel property, which has been converted into 107 studio apartments for adults 55 and older who have experienced homelessness, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Residents pay rent calculated at 30% of their income, averaging about $300 a month. Referrals come exclusively through the Homeless Trust’s Coordinated Entry System.
In a May 2025 Q&A published by the Homeless Trust, Hideaway Bay Director Denny Baldonado addressed early community concerns: “I know there was a lot of debate before we opened, but this is not a shelter. This is supportive housing for seniors — our most vulnerable population.”
Baldonado said residents receive three meals a day, help with transportation to appointments, laundry supplies and emotional support. The facility is also working with local adult day care centers and helping some residents find employment.
In Miami-Dade County, one in four people experiencing homelessness is 55 or older, according to data shared at the anniversary celebration.
The nonprofit behind Hideaway Bay
New Hope CORPS, which stands for Counseling, Outpatient, Residential, Prevention, Services, was founded in 1993 by Manuel A. “Manny” Alvarez. After his own experiences with substance use, incarceration and recovery, Alvarez pursued addiction-services work rooted in faith, structure and professional treatment. Alvarez died in 2009.
The nonprofit is headquartered in Homestead and operates a residential substance-use treatment program for adult men. The average stay is about 90 days.
Development Director Harris Kaplan discussed the organization’s broader mission in a Tuesday, Aug. 18 interview on the Michael Miller Show. “Everybody knows somebody who has been touched with substance use or addiction or mental health,” Kaplan said.
Beyond residential treatment, New Hope CORPS runs street outreach, a Hospital Bridge program connecting patients to services after discharge, outpatient and medication-assisted treatment, peer support and HIV testing. The organization has contracted with the Homeless Trust since 1999.
How neighbors can help
Hideaway Bay accepts donations of gently used clothing, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, towels and basic household items. Volunteers who can teach art, music or fitness classes are also welcome.
People interested in helping can contact New Hope CORPS at 786-243-1003. The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Helpline is 1-877-994-4357.
