Hotel transformed into affordable housing for formerly homeless residents

For people experiencing homelessness in South Florida, finding a safe and affordable place to live can be a difficult challenge. But one former hotel in Cutler Bay is getting a second life, offering some of the most vulnerable residents an opportunity to rebuild theirs. At Hideaway Bay, residents can rent furnished studio units for an average of about $300 a month. For Alex De Pazos, the opportunity has been life-changing. “I was like, wow, this is like a brand-new hotel room, and I m going to live here,” De Pazos said. After spending 15 years experiencing chronic homelessness, De Pazos now has a furnished room and private bathroom, along with a safe and quiet place to call home. He has also found a sense of community. “I assist in Bible study here too. The bingo games,” he said. His journey to stable housing came after years of struggling with alcoholism and homelessness. “It was actually 15 years of chronic homelessness,” De Pazos said. He is among thousands o