Miami Beach, FL — On Friday night, the Miami Beach City Commission approved a redevelopment plan that will close the Bikini Hostel and relocate approximately 50 unhoused individuals currently staying there.
Since November 2024, the site has served as a temporary shelter following a contract dispute at Camillus House in Miami. The property’s owners had allowed it to house displaced individuals as an emergency measure.
Commissioner Alex Meiner, who supported the move, described the hostel as “a blight for decades,” citing over 100 police calls to the site within the past year. “It’s time to move Miami Beach in a desirable direction,” he said during the meeting.
Over 20 nearby residents and business owners voiced support for the closure, saying the hostel had become a source of disorder and made them feel unsafe. A local restaurant owner stated he no longer felt comfortable walking his infant near the area.
Roughly ten speakers opposed the decision, accusing officials of exaggerating complaints and using fear tactics. Some noted that police are present at the site 24/7, suggesting the safety concerns were overstated.
Critics also questioned where the residents would go. According to reports, the only answer offered during the meeting was “outside Miami Beach.”
The redevelopment plan moves forward, but advocates warn that the city has offered no concrete plan for transitioning those affected. The vote has reignited debate over how Miami Beach handles issues of homelessness, safety, and neighborhood development issues.
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