Miami Beach Apartment Building Landlord Gives Long-Term, Elderly Residents Two Months to Get Out

Forty-two families residing in the Riviera Apartments in Miami Beach are facing an urgent housing crisis after receiving eviction notices from their landlord. Many of these residents have called this building home for over a decade, and now they have less than two months to find new accommodations.

The Eviction Notice

On July 2, residents were informed that they must vacate their apartments by August 31. This abrupt notice has left long-term tenants, including Milagros Santos, who has lived in her one-bedroom apartment for 23 years, feeling helpless. Santos, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, expressed her frustration, stating, “They don't say anything, everybody needs to move[,] that’s it.”

The Impact on Elderly Residents

The majority of the residents at Riviera Apartments are elderly and have been paying below-market rents. This situation is not unique; many older adults face housing insecurity and financial challenges as they age. The average rent for a studio apartment in Miami Beach is approximately $1,870 per month, a figure that can consume nearly all of a senior's Social Security income, which averages around $1,869.77.

According to a report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, nearly 11.2 million older adult households were cost-burdened in 2021, meaning they spend 30% or more of their income on housing. This financial strain is exacerbated by rising healthcare costs and the need for additional support services as health needs increase.

The Legal Landscape

Florida real estate attorney Fausto Rosales noted that the landlord is legally permitted to issue a 60-day eviction notice under current laws. He advised residents to communicate with the landlord to seek a possible resolution. Zeneida Guzman, a tenant of ten years, expressed a desire for compassion from the landlord, suggesting that a more reasonable timeframe for relocation would be three to six months.

Conclusion

As the deadline approaches, the residents of Riviera Apartments are left grappling with uncertainty and the daunting task of finding affordable housing in a challenging market. The situation highlights the broader issue of housing insecurity among older adults, who often find themselves in precarious living situations as they navigate the complexities of aging and financial stability.