Homeless Miamians struggle to stay cool as temperatures climb across South Florida
When the heat gets unbearable, Ishmael Burch Jr., will sometimes leave the park next to Government Center in downtown Miami to read science books at the library across the street.
The self-described “bookworm” said he goes to the nearby Main Library to read, cool off and refill his water bottles. Burch, like about 1,000 other Miamians, is unsheltered. For him, public libraries are a lifeline, especially during periods of extreme heat.
The National Weather Service issued its first-ever excessive heat warning in Miami over the weekend, as heat indices climbed above 110 degrees Sunday. On Monday, the NWS extended its heat advisories for Miami-Dade and Broward counties until 7 p.m. Tuesday.
High temperatures and humidity can be uncomfortable for everyone, but they are dangerous — and potentially deadly — for unsheltered Miamians.
“People can and will die if we’re not helping ... by making sure they’re not only getting proper hydration, but that there are safe places where they can go during the day and cool off,” said Ron Book, the chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.
READ MORE: Heat advisories extended in Miami-Dade, Broward — again. Here’s what you need to know
The average homeless person’s lifespan is 13 to 17 years shorter than that of a person with housing, Book said.
Book called this heat “uncharted territory.” He said in his nearly 30 years chairing the trust, he has not seen summer heat quite like this.
The main health risks associated with extreme heat are heatstroke and dehydration, Book said, which often go hand-in-hand. “If you’re not hydrating, you’re going to have a heat stroke,” he said.
These risks are especially pronounced for homeless individuals over 55. This is the fastest-growing homeless demographic in Miami and nationwide, Book said.
City of Miami’s outreach
The city of Miami partners with the Homeless Trust to send teams into the community to connect with unsheltered individuals, provide them with water and Gatorade and inform them about resources like cooling centers. There are nearly of these 25 homeless assistance teams, also known as “green shirts,” Book said.
To help the green shirts’ efforts, Book asked that people donate bottles of water and Gatorade for the outreach teams to distribute.
The Homeless Trust also operates around 9,000 beds and units of housing, including temporary housing, like beds in shelters, as well as units of transitional housing.
Burch, 66, moved to Miami three years ago from Niagara Falls, New York. He said he thinks he’s acclimated to the heat of a South Florida summer. He added, laughing, that his skin has gotten a few shades darker from spending so much time in the sun over the past few years. When he first moved to Miami, Burch said he would often get sunburns in the summer.
Staying hydrated and finding shade are important when it’s hot out, Burch said as he sat on a bench under a tree near the fountain in the park.
Library is a place to cool off
Omar Silas, who said he has been homeless for around eight months, also spends time at the park by Government Center. He said he and other homeless people suffer from the extreme heat. Church groups will sometimes bring food, water and clothing to the park near Government Center for homeless people, he said.
On Monday, Silas took off his shirt to cool down. He said he usually wears white T-shirts to keep cool, but that afternoon, even that was too hot. Monday saw temperatures in the mid-90s and a heat index over 100 degrees.
Silas, who came to the U.S. as an asylum-seeker from Nicaragua, said he often goes to the library to get out of the heat and sleep. He said finding a safe place to sleep is one of the most difficult parts of being homeless.
All 50 branches of the Miami-Dade Public Library System serve as places for housed and unhoused individuals alike to cool off, rest, charge devices and use computers. Most branches are open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Beaches also serve as places for homeless Miamians to bathe and cool down. Silas said he likes to go to the beach when it’s hot out to sit under the shade of the palm trees and bathe in the ocean.
Burch said his favorite beach is Haulover Beach. He said it’s a good place not only to bathe and keep cool, but also to unwind and spend time alone with his thoughts.
“It does your mind and your heart good to just get away from people for a day,” Burch said.
