Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have made a transformational $5 million donation to the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, marking the largest charitable contribution ever received by the organization. The funding comes through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, part of Bezos’s ongoing commitment to combat homelessness across the United States.
A Groundbreaking Donation to Address Homelessness
The $5 million donation will be used to provide emergency housing, short- and medium-term rental assistance, and supportive services while creating new housing by acquiring and renovating properties. This contribution matches a similar donation Bezos made in 2022 to the Chapman Partnership, another Miami-Dade nonprofit focused on homelessness.
Ron Book, the longtime chair of the Homeless Trust, described the donation as a “lifeline for Miami-Dade” and a “transformational gift” during a time when countless families are struggling amid the housing affordability crisis. “We are committed to strategic investments to significantly reduce family homelessness and ensure no child has to sleep outside,” Book emphasized.
Bezos’s Broader Philanthropic Vision
This donation is part of Bezos’s $2 billion commitment to combat homelessness through the Day 1 Families Fund. To date, the fund has donated $749 million to various organizations. This year alone, $110.5 million has been distributed to nonprofits like Family Gateway in Dallas, Welcome House in Kentucky, and the Jenesse Center in Los Angeles, each receiving $2.5 million.
Bezos, who is the world’s third-richest individual with an estimated net worth of $220 billion, said: “No child should sleep outdoors, and it’s an honor to support these extraordinary efforts.” Sánchez, Bezos’s fiancée and media personality, echoed his sentiments: “With rising homelessness, it’s more important than ever to support the individuals and organizations making a difference.”
Homelessness on the Rise in the U.S.
The donation comes at a critical time, as the homelessness crisis in the U.S. worsens. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, family homelessness has surged in recent years, with families now accounting for over 28% of the homeless population. In 2023, over a million individuals experienced homelessness for the first time, representing a 12% increase from 2022.
Victoria Mallette O’Brien, Executive Director of Homeless Trust, emphasized the urgency: “Emergency shelters have seen a 31% increase in families with young children in the past three years. We must invest in housing and services to help families regain stability.”
A New Era for Miami-Dade
The donation coincides with Miami-Dade County’s recent purchase of a La Quinta Inn in Cutler Bay, set to be converted into housing for the homeless. As new state laws restrict public camping and require local governments to relocate homeless individuals to sanitary shelters, Bezos and Sánchez’s contribution is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the crisis.
This landmark donation reflects the couple’s dedication to tackling systemic issues and supporting communities in need, setting a powerful example of impactful philanthropy.
