Author: Danielle Antosz

Francesca Barrett, a Kent State graduate, has never missed a student loan payment — even during the pandemic. But that doesn’t mean she’s not struggling with the remainder of her $52,000 student loan.

“My first paycheck of the month covers rent, student loan, groceries for two weeks, and I get about $30 left over,” she told News 5 Cleveland. “I look at that number that’s in my bank account two to three times a week.”

Barrett is one of the lucky ones. She’s not in default, which puts her in a better position than over five million federal borrowers who are (and four million more nearing default). But that protection doesn’t apply to those who fall behind because starting May 5, the U.S. Department of Education will resume involuntary collections on defaulted loans, ending a pandemic-era pause.

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What does this mean for Americans with student loans?

The pandemic pause was first enacted in March 2020 under the Trump administration, with extensions continuing through the Biden administration until late 2023. Even though payments resumed last fall, collection activity stayed on hold — until now. And involuntary collections mean the lowest-income borrowers could be forced to make payments.

“Sixty-two percent of borrowers are not currently in good standing on their payments,” said Phil Wallace with College Now Greater Cleveland, a nonprofit dedicated to helping college students. Those borrowers could face serious consequences. According to CNBC, that includes:

• Wage garnishment: Up to 15% of your disposable income can be seized, as calculated by the federal government.
• Tax refund offset: The government can take your entire federal tax refund.
• Social Security garnishment: Retirees can lose up to 15% of their monthly benefits — but must be left with at least $750.
• Seizure of state refunds, lottery winnings, and even bank account levies, in some cases.

Some good news? Borrowers will receive notice before collections begin.

“You’ll have a 30-day notification before [wage garnishment] would begin,” said Wallace.

Borrowers will begin receiving warning notices within the next two weeks, the Department of Education Department confirmed.

Carolina Rodriguez, director of the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program in New York, is especially concerned about how the resumed collections could impact retirees.

“Losing a portion of their Social Security benefits to repay student loans could mean not having enough for food, transportation to medical appointments, or other basic necessities,” Rodriguez said.

For Social Security payments, a 65-day notice must be given before the seizure of Social Security benefits, shared higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Defaulted on student loans? Here are your options — and how to prepare

Borrowers who are up to date on payments won’t be affected by collections, but should still stay informed. This change only applies to those who have defaulted. If you are in default, you aren’t without choices — but the clock is ticking. Here are your options:

Loan rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a one-time option that allows you to make nine consecutive, affordable payments to remove your loan from default. But if you’ve used this before, you can’t use it again, according to federal rules.

Loan consolidation or refinancing

Consolidating defaulted loans can provide immediate relief and a path into an income-driven repayment plan — but may lead to higher interest costs over time. It’s also not available if your wages are already being garnished, so now is a good time to see if you’re eligible.

Income-driven repayment

If you’re not in default yet, income-driven repayment options, like the Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and SAVE Plan, could reduce your monthly payment based on your income — and even lead to loan forgiveness over time.

Forbearance or deferment

Borrowers can request retroactive forbearance (temporary postponement of loan payments) to cover missed payments or apply for a temporary deferment while enrolling in an income-driven plan. Forbearance may be available due to hardship, serving in the military, or if you work as a teacher. Visit studentaid.gov to see which options may be available to you.

Even if you’re not in default yet, the resumption of collections is a wake-up call for many borrowers. Here’s what you can do now:

1. Log in to your student loan account: Check your loan status, payment history, and current servicer. If you’re not sure where to start, visit studentaid.gov.
2. Watch for notices: The Department of Education must give 30 days’ notice before wage garnishment and 65 days before Social Security garnishment. You may be entitled to a hearing if garnishment would cause hardship.
3. Reassess your tax withholdings: If you usually receive a large tax refund, adjusting your W-4 to reduce withholdings could increase your monthly take-home pay — buffering the impact if garnishment begins and preventing the government from seizing a large tax refund.
4. Ask for help: Nonprofits like College Now Greater Cleveland offer free help evaluating your options. Similar organizations or legal aid groups can assist in other states.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

At 73, Jose Fimbres refuses to slow down. The father and former semi-truck driver starts his day at 4 a.m., delivering for DoorDash in National City, California to stay active and support himself, proving that determination has no age limit.

"I gotta do something to keep moving," Fimbres told CBS8. "If I didn’t do it, I would be sitting in a wheelchair…I like that I’m still supporting myself. If I want to eat something, I’m gonna get it. I’m not gonna ask my daughters or my sons."

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But a recent early-morning delivery to the De La Torre family changed everything. After his wife placed the order, Luis De La Torre, who owns Louie’s Garage body shop, watched a video from his Ring camera of Fimbres carefully navigating their porch steps. The footage deeply inspired him.

How one delivery inspired a community

The short video, later shared on social media, shows Fimbres slowly climbing the steps up to the De La Torres’ front door and setting the food down. De La Torre posted the video on TikTok, and it quickly went viral, garnering over a million views.

The video’s caption reads, "Wifey ordered door dash snacks for the kids today i was like can u stop ordering from there till i saw this. Jose got a tip today props to the old man getting his hussle [sic] early in the am probably cuz he has to not bc he wants to #Mexican power"

Luis De La Torre explained to CBS8 News why he shared it.

"I saw the video and somebody that old to see working still, you know. And he barely could walk up our stairs,” he said.

More than 2,000 people reached out to De La Torre asking how they could help.

Moved by the overwhelming response, De La Torre set up a GoFundMe campaign. In just three days, nearly 1,500 people raised $26,000 for Fimbres. When De La Torre presented him with the check, the man was stunned.

“Oh my goodness,” Fimbres said, laughing. “It’s too much! How much I owe you?”

“That’s yours,” De La Torre assured him. “Everybody helped out. Everybody raised money for you.”

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Why are so many older Americans working longer?

While this story is heartwarming, it highlights an uncomfortable reality: financial insecurity is forcing many older Americans to work longer than expected.

A survey by AARP found that one in five Americans aged 50 and older have no retirement savings, leaving them with few options but to remain in the workforce.

This trend is reflected in national employment data — CBS News reports that one in five people over the age of 65 are still working, doubling the number from the 1980s.

"It’s not unambiguously a good thing that more seniors are working,” Pew senior researcher Richard Fry told CBS MoneyWatch. "Partly some of this is that they are choosing to continue to work, but some of them may need to work even if they don’t want to because of the precarious state of our retirement system."

The financial strain also extends to middle-aged adults. According to Pew Research, nearly one in seven are financially supporting both an aging parent and a child, adding to the growing burden on families.

The best way to prevent financial strain in later years is to start planning for retirement early. Encourage young people to open an IRA or contribute to a 401(k) if available. Even small contributions can grow over time.

Families can also support aging loved ones by discussing financial planning openly, helping them access benefits they may qualify for and ensuring they have a safety net.

Many states and communities offer assistance for older adults, including lower property taxes, low-income housing assistance, transportation services and energy assistance programs.

While community-driven efforts, like the one that helped Fimbres, show the power of collective generosity, long-term solutions require systemic changes and individual preparation.

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Scammers have left many Illinois residents unable to feed their families after stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, reports CBS News Chicago. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to low-income households to help fund groceries, but over the past two years, criminals have siphoned off millions.

From October 2022 to December 2024, scammers stole nearly $21 million in SNAP benefits from more than 38,000 households across Illinois through almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions.

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"My family and I can’t buy groceries this month," one victim wrote to CBS News.

Another Chicago victim said they checked their balance and found $1,039 was stolen from their EBT card in six separate transactions after someone used their benefits hundreds of miles away at a deli and grocery store in New York.

“I am not the only victim," she wrote. "When the clerk gave me the report to file she said this has been severe since 2022."

But how are thieves getting away with it?

How does the fraud happen?

Much of the fraud stems from skimming, a tactic where scammers use hidden devices to copy EBT card data during a transaction.

“Skimming is a big part of the SNAP EBT fraud,” James Morley of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office told CBS News. "You could have criminals in another state or another country that are getting that data real-time as it’s being captured."

These skimming devices, often installed on payment terminals at stores, can transmit card data via Bluetooth to criminals in real-time — sometimes in other states or even countries.

The core issue is that most EBT cards still use magnetic stripes, not the chip-enabled security found in modern debit and credit cards. That leaves them vulnerable to data theft with a single swipe.

"What I don’t understand, though, is how in the world when the entire world switched to chip-enabled cards over a decade ago, why the food stamp program didn’t do the same thing," said Haywood Talcove, CEO of Government Business for LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

The fraud isn’t just ongoing — it’s accelerating. In 2024 alone, thieves made off with $12.5 million, accounting for 57% of all fraud losses since Illinois began tracking the problem, reports CBS News. Worse still, stolen benefits are no longer reimbursed. The federal reimbursement program ended in December 2024, leaving victims on their own.

Some states are taking steps to prevent EBT card fraud. California has rolled out chip-enabled EBT cards, and Oklahoma plans to do so soon. Chips use tokenization, which makes it nearly impossible for fraudsters to skim the information.

Illinois is participating in the USDA Mobile Payment Pilot program instead, set to launch later this year. This program allows people to add their EBT card to their mobile wallet and then tap to pay at checkout. While this program may be more secure, it requires users to have a smartphone, which could be a barrier for SNAP recipients who don’t own or regularly use smartphones.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

What can you do to prevent SNAP fraud?

Unfortunately, since federal reimbursements ended in December 2024, there’s no guarantee your stolen funds will be replaced. Some victims, like a Chicago man who lost $698 in under a minute, say they’ve been told to wait until next month’s benefits.

"IDHS isn’t replacing any of the benefits for the month. They are just giving people new cards, telling them to wait until next month’s benefits," he wrote to CBS News.

The best way to prevent SNAP fraud is to be alert and proactive. If your state is offering chipped SNAP cards, request a replacement. Otherwise, you can:

• Block out-of-state transactions
• Turn your card off after making a purchase
• Block internet transactions

If you think your funds have been stolen, take immediate action, and:

• Contact your state’s EBT provider or local health services office right away to report the theft.
• Request a new EBT card as soon as possible.
• Monitor your EBT account regularly for suspicious or unauthorized charges.
• Document everything, including the date and amount of stolen funds, and where the transactions occurred.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois says she’s working to change the lack of reimbursement.

“I have heard from constituents who have had their benefits stolen and have not been reimbursed…I will not back down. I plan to continue to work with my colleagues in the state legislature to ensure all Illinoisans can access their benefits,” she said in a statement.

In the meantime, many Illinois families are left waiting — and wondering how they’ll put food on the table.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A Lakin, Kansas, family is speaking out after their 87-year-old father was scammed out of $30,000 — and nearly lost his entire retirement fund — after a fraudulent computer alert.

Tom Grauburger says he was trying to file his taxes when his computer suddenly froze up on him.

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“Microsoft Defender popped up and [said] something about [a] problem with the computer,” Grauburger recalled to KAKE News in a story published April 30.

The message included a phone number, which he called. A person answered with a name and employee ID. Grauburger thought he was reporting a potential security issue. Instead, he was pulled into a scam that lasted three weeks and affected both his finances and relationship with his daughters.

How did the scam work?

Grauburger was transferred to someone claiming to be with the Federal Trade Commission. According to the broadcaster, the scammer told him his identity had been used to buy illegal firearms and child pornography. They even sent him fake documentation and credentials to make the lie more convincing.

“He asked how much money I had in my checking and savings account,” Grauburger said. “Well, can’t lie to a federal officer, so I told him.”

The scammer told Grauburger he was under investigation, per KAKE News, and to sign a non-disclosure agreement. He was then instructed to withdraw $30,000 from two local banks, place the cash between pages of magazines, wrap it in bubble wrap and aluminum foil, and send it in a duct-taped box to an address provided by the scammers. He was told federal agents needed physical proof of his assets.

All the while, Grauburger was kept on the phone for hours a day and instructed to leave his phone on — even at church — so he could be monitored.

“That was really intimidating,” he said. “They listened to everything I said or whatever I did.”

The scam became so consuming that Grauburger started avoiding his family, fearing arrest if he disclosed what was happening.

“My son’s birthday was in April. My dad didn’t call him, which was totally out of character,” his daughter, Debi Leal, told KAKE News. “My youngest sister was very hurt. She called me, ‘Why is Daddy mad at me? Why is Daddy lying to us?’”

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Grauburger says the scammers tried to steal even more money — $200,000 from his retirement account — but the transfer was flagged. The senior canceled the transaction when he received a call from somebody claiming to be a sheriff’s deputy who threatened him with arrest. That’s when he decided to go to the sheriff’s office in person.

“I went down there, and of course, they didn’t know anything about it,” Grauburger said.

In the end, he was able to save his retirement savings, but his $30,000 emergency fund was gone.

Here’s how to avoid similar scams

Grauburger and Leal are now both speaking out to help others avoid falling for similar scams. They urge families to stay alert.

“These people are real slick,” Grauburger said. “I just felt like everybody needs to know.”

Here are a few ways to avoid falling for even the most elaborate scams:

• Don’t trust computer pop-ups or unsolicited calls. Microsoft and government agencies will never ask you to call a number that appears in a warning message.
• Watch for fear and isolation tactics. Scammers often use threats of arrest or legal trouble to keep victims compliant.
• Stay in contact with loved ones. Sudden changes in behavior or communication patterns could be a red flag.
• Never send out cash or gift cards. No legitimate agency will ask for physical money to prove your identity or assets.
• Ask questions. If you’re unsure about a request, talk to a trusted friend, family member, or call local law enforcement yourself.

Grauburger’s story is also a reminder that the emotional toll of a scam can be just as devastating as the financial loss. By speaking out, he hopes others will be better able to avoid the tricky tactics scammers use.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Residents of the Westbury Reserve Apartments in southwest Houston are finally seeing some relief after weeks of dealing with the stench of uncollected garbage, no hot water and no air conditioning.

"I can’t open my window. I come out here every day, especially with that rain. You know how that smells,” resident Bernard Joseph told Fox 26. “They ain’t dumped the trash in two months."

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But that wasn’t the only concern. Tenants said squatters were breaking into vacant units, sewage was backing up into buildings and basic maintenance was nonexistent. Some residents said the issues have been occurring since Christmas.

After weeks of pressure and nearly 30 health department violations, the property owner stepped in with promises of cleanup and change. But how it got this bad is a tangled story.

‘The buck stops with me’

Robert Ritzenhaler, owner of Westbury Reserve and CEO of REM Capital, blamed the severe neglect on AMC Management, the third-party property management company he hired.

"At the end of the day, the buck stops with me, as one of the owners of the property,” he told Fox 26. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t a story behind it, of course.”

Ritzenhaler said he was shocked to learn a $10,000 trash bill had not been paid, despite more than $366,000 reportedly sitting in the property’s account. According to him, AMC requested approval to pay the trash bill only a month ago. He signed off, but said AMC’s payment process caused a delay.

“I shouldn’t have to approve a trash bill,” Ritzenhaler said. “The contract specifically states that they will take care of managing the property and keeping it habitable.”

AMC Management disputed that version of events. In a statement to FOX 26, the company said, “AMC never sought permission to pay trash collection bills … nor was it required to under the property management agreement."

Instead, AMC claims REM Capital failed to provide funds to pay contractors and even fell behind on payroll and management fees. AMC sent a termination letter, which took effect May 1.

Ritzenhaler has since dispatched a new team member to oversee a full-scale cleanup and repairs effort. Top priorities included clearing trash piles, boarding up broken windows, resolving sewage backups, restoring hot water and tackling pest problems.

He’s also working to fix or replace broken gates, potholes and expired fire extinguishers. The pool area — described by the fire marshal as “unacceptable” — must also be brought back to code.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

What to do if you’re caught in the middle

Tenants at Westbury Reserve say they were left in the dark for months, unsure who was responsible and with no clear way to get help. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are some steps that can help:

Document everything

Take photos and videos of the conditions in your unit and around the property. Keep records of rent payments, maintenance requests and any communication with management.

Contact property management and owners

Make sure the property managers understand the extent of the issues. If they aren’t responding, try reaching out to the property owner directly. Public property records or business filings can help you track them down.

File complaints with authorities

You can file complaints with housing authorities, the health department and sanitation services. In Houston, this includes Solid Waste Management and the Department of Neighborhoods.

Seek legal aid

Nonprofits like Lone Star Legal Aid in Texas offer free or low-cost legal help if you believe your rights as a tenant are being violated.

Finally, consider contacting local media. Residents at Westbury Reserve only got results after a news station picked up their story. Sometimes, public pressure is the only way to spark action.

What to read next

• Millions of Americans now sit on a stunning $35 trillion in home equity — here’s 1 new way to invest in responsible US homeowners while targeting a 14%-17% IRR
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

As political tensions rise between the U.S. and Canada, partly fueled by President Donald Trump‘s tariff policies, some people are caught in the middle.

Denise Amato, who currently lives in Tonawanda, New York, is a dual citizen of both countries. She says the current political climate has been challenging to navigate with her family and friends.

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"I’ve noticed there’s some strain," Amato told WKBW TV in a story published March 24. "I’m a little concerned with that because we’ve been allies for so long."

Born in Niagara Falls, New York, and raised in Welland, Ontario, she has deep roots on both sides of the border. She says recent conversations with family and friends increasingly revolve around politics.

Tensions beyond trade policy

Early in March, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on most imports from Canada, with an exemption for products that are compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). On March 12, he placed 25% tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada. On April 3, the president imposed 25% tariffs on imported vehicles with some exemptions. Trump has also threatened further tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber products.

Canada, for its part, has responded by issuing retaliatory tariffs of its own on U.S. goods.

But these aren’t the only actions that have caused friction between both nations. Trump has repeatedly suggested making Canada the 51st state of the U.S. — even mockingly referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "governor" — comments Canadians perceived to be a threat to the country’s sovereignty.

Regardless of whether or not Trump’s quips were simply playful jabs, current Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled that the old relationship between Canada and the U.S. is over.

"It’s clear the U.S. is no longer a reliable partner," he said at a press conference on March 27. "It is possible that with comprehensive negotiations, we could re-establish an element of confidence, but there will be no going backwards."

Despite the turmoil and economic uncertainty between both countries, Amato insists she’s optimistic that the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Canada will endure.

“We are friends, and we will be friends forever,” she said. “So, let’s please not allow the political climate to affect that.”

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

How international relations can affect your wallet

International tensions aren’t just another headline for American consumers — they can have real-world impacts on personal finances.

In the case of Canada and the U.S., individuals living near the border — particularly those with income or assets in both countries — can feel financial strain beyond the effects economic tools such as tariffs have on the price of goods. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar (USD) and Canadian dollar (CAD) can significantly impact purchasing power, investment returns and the cost of living.

For example, when tariffs escalate tensions, investor confidence may fall, causing currency volatility. If the CAD weakens, Canadians who earn income in Canadian dollars but have expenses or investments in the U.S. face reduced spending power. Conversely, a stronger CAD could mean Americans pay more for Canadian goods and services.

Here are some ways to manage your personal finances in this time of uncertainty:

• Don’t stop contributing to your 401(k) if you’re more than 10 years away from retirement. Market fluctuations can make contributing to retirement feel risky, but long-term investing can weather these swings.
• Look for ways to spend less so tariffs don’t impact your budget as much. For example, now is not the time to invest in a new vehicle unless you must.
• If you’re holding both USD and CAD, pay attention to exchange rates and identify favorable times to transfer funds between them.
• Limit large cross-border purchases when exchange rates aren’t in your favor — this includes everything from appliances to real estate.
• Diversify your assets by holding investments or accounts in both currencies and spending from whichever account is more favorable.

While politicians debate policy, consumers on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border are left navigating the ripple effects — making it more important than ever to stay informed and financially flexible.

What to read next

• Millions of Americans now sit on a stunning $35 trillion in home equity — here’s 1 new way to invest in responsible US homeowners while targeting a 14%-17% IRR
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Shop owners in Oakland’s Chinatown are fed up with vandals who repeatedly graffiti their stores and with city officials who keep fining them for it. It’s a never-ending cycle: the walls are spray-painted and employees paint over it, only for the tags to reappear.

But the city doesn’t seem to be going after the taggers. Instead, it’s penalizing the victims of the crime — the businesses themselves.

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“We cannot control [it]. We clean up and they come again. So many times, but the city — I don’t know why they are charging me money,” Shirley Luo, manager of Won Kee Supermarket, told ABC7 News Bay Area in a story published April 9. “It’s not my fault. Not our fault.”

A day earlier, Luo tried to pay a recent $500 fine — but the city told her she actually owed $3,000, including late fees, according to the local broadcaster.

Locals are fighting back

Luo’s story isn’t unique. Businesses across the city’s Chinatown say they’re receiving thousands of dollars in fines for not painting over graffiti fast enough.

“We close at 4 o’clock when we go home, and we cannot watch people do things like that. We can’t. So, the city has to help,” Susan Lam, another local business owner, told ABC7 News.

In an effort to help tackle the problem, the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council (OCIC) set up a program to paint over tags it spotted last August, per the broadcaster. It had little success, but the group isn’t giving up.

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“We are going to continue to go over the taggers and continue to put murals on until we get to a point where we have made significant improvement,” Tony Trinh, the council’s executive director, told ABC7 News.

Businesses also want city officials to take action.

What are business owners asking for?

Shop owners want the city to shift its focus from fining property owners to penalizing vandals.

“The city should go after the taggers. Like they did in Seattle,” Stewart Chen, president of the OCIC board of directors. “I won’t say prison or incarceration but at least a fine, so they know there are consequences to their actions. If they just let them come and tag us and leave without any consequences, of course they will come back.”

Seattle has reportedly spent millions of dollars to control its graffiti problem and employs around 15 full-time employees for removal. The city also aims to hold vandals accountable.

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon echoed the Oakland business community’s frustration and told ABC7 News she’s hopeful newly elected mayor Barbara Lee will do “everything possible to address this policy and others that continue to trouble our business owners. We’ve got to do everything possible to keep businesses stable, to make sure that they are safe and that they can afford to do business in Oakland.”

Back at Won Kee Supermarket, Luo says the city’s current approach isn’t just frustrating — it’s unjust.

“Touch my money. Touch the owner’s money, [it’s] not fair,” she said.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A developer hoping to build a luxury high-rise in Miami Beach is offering city officials a controversial selling point: The closure of Bikini Hostel, a youth hostel that has recently become one of the only places on the island housing the homeless.

As reported by WPLG Local 10 News, at a recent Miami Beach city commission meeting, attorney for the development Melissa Tapanes said the proposed development “will result in the permanent elimination of the Bikini Hostel,” calling the site a “plague on this community for a number of years.”

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But advocates for the homeless say the hostel has filled a critical gap, especially after a drop in available beds at a nearby shelter. They argue that, rather than a nuisance, the hostel has become a source of stability and dignity for dozens of Miami-Dade County residents with nowhere else to go.

A place for healing and community

The Bikini Hostel originally billed itself as a youth hostel with a colorful atmosphere, complimentary breakfast and “a bed for every budget.” But since late October 2023, it has transformed into an emergency housing site for about 90 to 100 individuals experiencing homelessness. Most residents are referred by the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, the lead agency responsible for the operations and oversight of the county’s Continuum of Care program.

That shift happened, reports Local 10 News, as the Homeless Trust scrambled to find space after Camillus House in Miami reduced its bed capacity and the state’s new law banning unauthorized camping and public sleeping took effect on October 1, 2024.

Miami-Dade Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book defended the arrangement and pushed back against criticism of the hostel.

“The city of Miami Beach doesn’t think it has a homeless problem and doesn’t have any responsibility to be part of the effort to house or shelter people on the island itself,” Book told Local 10 News.

“They think that burden falls on the other 34 municipalities in Miami-Dade County.”

He added, “Some people don’t have a good image of unhoused individuals. I can’t help that.”

The hostel’s owners initially resisted acquisition offers from the developer, reported Local 10 News. But with zoning changes allowing increased density, the developer can now afford to meet their price. A deal is now in the works, but the controversy is ongoing.

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How would closing the hostel impact the community?

The developer argues that replacing the hostel with a high-rise luxury building will improve quality of life and remove what some neighbors have long seen as a neighborhood blight.

At the recent city commission meeting, Jessica Davis, vice-president of the Bay View Terrace Condominium Association, called the hostel “a scourge and a blight on the neighborhood for 15 years now, long before its current iteration as a makeshift homeless shelter.”

There are potential economic benefits. High-end housing typically boosts property values and tax revenue, and developers are often required to provide public benefits in exchange for zoning changes, such as park space, infrastructure improvements or relocation plans like the one proposed for Bikini Hostel residents.

But, critics worry that closing the hostel without a viable replacement would displace already vulnerable residents and reduce emergency housing options at a time when few exist.

“This place has offered me something,” Bikini Hostel resident Angela Lovingood told the Miami Herald.

After years of trying to find a shelter bed following the loss of her daughter in a fire, she finally found space at the hostel.

“Don’t kick us while we’re down,” she said. “Help us get up, help us be a contribution to our society again.”

Another resident, Michael Black, told the Herald that staying at the hostel “makes you feel like a human being. You feel like you’re a part of the community.”

Courtney Caprio, an attorney for Bikini Hostel, said in a statement to Local 10 News that the owners are committed to ensuring no one is “forcibly displaced.” They plan to use part of the proceeds from the sale to purchase a new facility that will continue to provide housing.

Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in as the proposal returns to the Miami Beach city commission in late May. For those on either side of the issue, the debate raises larger questions: What role should the community play in addressing homelessness? And how do you balance economic development with social responsibility?

What to read next

• Millions of Americans now sit on a stunning $35 trillion in home equity — here’s 1 new way to invest in responsible US homeowners while targeting a 14%-17% IRR
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.