The 44 percent: More than half of Miami-Dade County is living check-to-check

By Raisa Habersham

Updated September 25, 2025 5:15 PM

Shirley Phinzee, a local nighttime janitor, poses after an interview on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 outside her church, Harvest Center International, in Liberty City, Miami, Fla. Phinzee used to take care of a pastor for her old church for a reduced rent, but after he passed, she became homeless. Phinzee needs her car since she works until 1 A.M. and has found bus transportation to be unreliable. ÒBetween car payment and insurance and storage, canÕt save up enough to afford my own place,Ó said Phinzee. Prior to working for the pastor, Phinzee also had a history of having violence against her by people she would rent rooms from. ÒAt least with my car, no one can do that to me because this is mine,Ó said Phinzee. — Shirley Phinzee, a local nighttime janitor, poses after an interview on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 outside her church, Harvest Center International, in Liberty City, Miami, Fla. Phinzee used to take care of a pastor for her old church for a reduced rent, but after he passed, she became homeless. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

One of the biggest challenges when I moved to South Florida nearly three years ago was finding adequate housing in a reasonable price range. And as reporter Max Klaver found, affordability in general is a challenge for half of those living in Miami-Dade County and most of Florida.

This is based on United Way Miami’s ALICE report, with the acronym meaning asset-limited, income constrained, (and) employed. Per Max’s reporting, “Miami-Dade’s ALICE population has crept up since the pandemic, when a surge of higher-earning, out-of-state residents moved to South Florida, driving up local costs, especially for housing.”

He goes on to report local wages haven’t kept up and has led to more families being in a tight financial crunch. “These are child care workers. These are health aides. These are folks who may serve you a drink or a meal at a restaurant,” said Symeria Hudson, CEO of United Way Miami. “They keep the city going.”

I encourage you to read Max’s story about the struggles some neighbors are facing.

You may have noticed a change in the newsletter recently. Don’t worry, we’re trying out a new format. Let me know what you think.

Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend. If it was forwarded to you, sign up here.

INSIDE THE 305:

‘Justice for Rylo.’ Police conclude investigation of shooting that killed a child

The family of Rylo Yancy, along with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis and Police Chief Bill Schultz, gather during a press conference at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's temporary headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, to announce recent arrests made in the homicide of three-year-old Rylo Yancy. Rylo was killed in a drive-by shooting while attending another child's birthday party at Riverland Park. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Mike Stocker South Florida Sun Sentinel

A year after 3-year-old Rylo Yancy was shot and killed at a child’s birthday party in Fort Lauderdale, police announced four people were arrested.

‘Hospitality is our ministry’: How a restaurant brings Africa to South Florida

Eddy Aitah, a Nigerian national who operates the Broward African restaurant, “Eden,” with his wife, is photographed in one of the booths on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in West Park, Florida. — Eddy Aitah, a Nigerian national who operates African restaurant Eden with his wife, at his West Park restaurant. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com

Cheryl and Eddy Aitah opened their African restaurant in June 2025 in West Park, a small South Broward city near Hollywood, offering a taste of African dishes like smoky jollof rice.

More than half of Miamians can barely make ends meet, new report finds

Shirley Phinzee, a local nighttime janitor, sits in her car that she resides in after an interview on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 outside WendyÕs in Miami, Fla. Phinzee used to take care of a pastor for her old church for a reduced rent, but after he passed, she became homeless. Phinzee needs her car since she works until 1 A.M. and has found bus transportation to be unreliable. ÒBetween car payment and insurance and storage, canÕt save up enough to afford my own place,Ó said Phinzee. Prior to working for the pastor, Phinzee also had a history of having violence against her by people she would rent rooms from. ÒAt least with my car, no one can do that to me because this is mine,Ó said Phinzee. — Shirley Phinzee, a local nighttime janitor, sits in her car where she resides. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

More than half of Miami-Dade residents, 54 percent, earn too much to qualify for state assistance, but effectively live paycheck to paycheck.

OUTSIDE THE 305:

‘Haiti wants peace,’ head of presidential council tells world leaders, pleads for help

Laurent Saint-Cyr, the head of Haiti’s nine-member Presidential Transitional Council, addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, September 25, 2025. TIMOTHY A. CLARY Haiti Transitional Presidential Council Facebook page

Laurent Saint-Cyr, the head of Haiti’s ruling presidential council, told global leaders Haiti has become the country of war and pleaded for help.

A’ja Wilson becomes four-time WNBA MVP

WNBA player A’ja Wilson takes a photo with fans after the second half of an NCAA women’s basketball game between the Miami Hurricanes and the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Watsco Center on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Coral Gables, Fla. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com

The Las Vegas Aces star earned 51 first place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, getting a total of 657 points, CNN reported. She edged out Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (534 points) and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (391 points).

HIGH CULTURE:

Wilson and the Aces take on the Fever

If you want to see Wilson in action, you can catch her and the Las Vegas Aces battling the Indiana Fever for a spot in the WNBA finals at 7:30 p.m Friday on ESPN2. The teams are tied in a best of five series. The Lynx and Mercury face off out at 9:30 p.m.

Where does “The 44 Percent” name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter’s title.

This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM.

Raisa Habersham

Miami Herald

Raisa Habersham is the race and culture reporter for the Miami Herald. She previously covered Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale for the Herald with a focus on housing and affordability. Habersham is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She joined the Herald in 2022.

INSIDE THE 305:

OUTSIDE THE 305:

HIGH CULTURE:

Get unlimited digital access

#ReadLocal