BHC NEWS BROWARD HOUSING COUNCIL

Welcome to the first

edition of the Broward

Housing Council’s quarterly

newsletter. Our goal is to

provide you with

up-to-date national, state

and local affordable

housing and homelessness

issues and trends. We

hope that you will enjoy

this first edition of this

newsletter. We welcome

your thoughts and

suggestions for future

articles. Please send your

comments and suggestions

to bhc@broward.org.

Winter Quarter ly Newsletter

December, 2012

Inside this Issue

Affordable Housing in Broward P.1 Affordable Housing Initiatives P.1

Affordable Housing Developments P.2 United Way Helps Foster Home P.3

Teens Helping Teens P.3 LIHTC Program Report P.3

Rehabilitating the Homelessness P.3 Renter Household Incomes P.4

Funding Opportunities P.4 Vision Statement & Contact Info P.5

The mission of 2-1-1 Broward is to provide a 24-hour comprehensive helpline and support services for individuals in our community seeking crisis intervention assis-tance and/or information and referrals to health and human services in Broward County.

1

Pinnacle Village, Pompano Beach

Affordable Housing Brightens Up Broward

Strikingly attractive affordable housing communities have been sprouting up all around Broward County and more projects continue to be developed. These complexes are outfitted with modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, eco-friendly landscaping and community amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, playgrounds, business centers, accessible to public transit and more.

In 2012, the Board of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation approved tax credit and bond funding for nine new affordable multifamily projects totaling 1,700 units. These projects designed specifically for the needs of families improves the well-being of our residents and contributes to a better quality of life regardless of income level. The Board of County Commissioners de-serve credit for supporting and approving selected gap financing using our local Home Investment Partnership (HOME) and State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program funding and for providing the tax credit match for the projects.

Affordable Housing Initiatives: In April 2011, the City of Fort Lauderdale Affordable Housing

Advisory Committee (AHAC) presented some strategic housing initiatives to the City Commission. As a result, the City Commission requested that the AHAC explore Inclusionary Zoning and bring back their thoughts and recommendations. On October 23, 2012, the AHAC held a public workshop to discuss Inclusionary Zoning. Specifically, the committee recommended to the City Commission, that development applications that have ten or more units, set aside at least 10 percent of the units to households below 80 percent of the average median income or in the alternative make a payment in-lieu of $100,000 per unit to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The AHAC finalized their recommendation for the City Commission in November. Additionally, the City is exploring whether or not an Affordable Housing Study is needed in the Northwest/CRA area of the City. At the November 20, 2012 City Commission Meeting, questions were raised regarding the need for an affordable housing study. On December 10th, the AHAC will be advised of the City Commission discussion related to the Affordable Housing Study and asked if they want to move forward with their Inclusionary Zoning recommendation or wait until the City Commission decides on whether or not to move forward with an Affordable Housing Study. The City of Fort Lauderdale Inclusionary Housing Feasibility Study and Recommendations can be reviewed at: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/acrobat/2012-08/316191680-24143753.pdf.

Pinnacle at Avery Glen, Sunrise

East Village Apartments,

Davie

The Broward County Housing Authority and Carlisle Development Group partnered to develop this garden style community. HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds were applied to this project, the County provided local funds and the developer used State tax credits. The property, designed by Corwil Architects, Inc., is spread over 12 acres which include both external and internal amenities. The exterior of the property features generous walkways connecting the community, tree-lined for shade, and a spectacular 20,000 square foot lake. Each unit is fitted with modern, energy efficient appliances (aiding in the affordability factor) and many community luxuries such as a swimming pool, club house, fitness center, library, business center, playground and community rooms.

New Pompano Beach Property

Broward Housing Solutions® recently purchased a four-unit apartment complex in Pompano Beach to provide permanent housing for low income individuals who suffer from mental illness.

The non-profit organization paid $520,000 for the property located at 1860 Southeast 4th Street through funding provided by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. The seller, Michael S. Galloway, also committed to continue supporting Broward Housing Solutions®’ mission.

While this program will serve all individuals who struggle with mental illness, Broward Housing Solutions® is hoping to address the particular housing needs of homeless veterans.

“Broward County has one of the highest homeless veteran populations in the state, with almost one third suffering from mental illness,” said Lisa A. Vecchi, CEO of Broward Housing Solutions®. “We are committed to providing homes for all who struggle with mental illness but we have a special place in our hearts for veterans, who have bravely served our country and who have difficulties returning home. This population is in need, and the fit is perfect for us to reach out and help.” -source, Broward Housing Solutions® newsletter

HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds were applied and the County provided Broward Housing Solutions® with the funds needed for acquisition and rehabilitation of the Pompano Beach property.

UPDATE: Affordable Housing Developments

Washington Park Villas, Hollywood

The City of Hollywood recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Washington Park Villas, a 28-unit affordable housing development. Washington Park Villas is located between South 56th Avenue and South 57th Avenue and Wiley Street. The project will offer four townhouse buildings on the north side of Wiley Street that include four one-bedroom units, four two-bedroom units and 16 three-bedroom units and two duplex buildings on the south side of Wiley Street. This project was developed with significant input from the community, the City of Hollywood Department of Community & Economic Development, and in partnership with Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc., a Community Housing and Development Organization. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the State of Florida, and Broward County assisted with funding for this project.

FREE: FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WORKSHOPS

Are you thinking about buying a home, but not sure where to start, especially in these challenging economic times? The Broward County Housing Authority’s free First-time Homebuyer Class can help. In a one day training, you will learn the entire homebuying process from start to finish, and how to stay on track as a responsible homeowner. Workshops are held on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required, call (954) 497-4583.

Workshop Location: Broward County Housing Authority (BCHA)

4780 N. State Road 7 Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319

2

Rehabilitating the Homeless

Homelessness and incarceration have been recognized as a social problem that affects millions every year. The Sun-Sentinel recently published an article by Lisa A. Vecchi, CEO of Broward Housing Solutions® who wrote a response to the previously published article “Broward Jail: A hotel for the homeless.” The article revealed that arresting a homeless person who struggles with mental illness for minor infractions ends up costing taxpayers $118 a day. Ms. Vecchi has first-hand experience in helping the homeless, who struggle with mental illness, stabilize, recover, and reintegrate back into our society becoming contributing citizens in our community. Ms. Vecchi indicated that placing someone diagnosed with mental illness in a permanent and affordable home is a more socially and economically palatable cost to Broward County at only $23 a day per resident. The positive outcomes of providing permanent housing and actively rehabilitating people by collaborating with mental health providers for support services rather than just containing them, is the key to successful placement and greatly minimizes the financial burden on our taxpayers.

Ms. Vecchi ends the article with a hopeful observation, “There are answers. We just have to be committed to implementing and funding them.”

What Can We Learn about the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program by Looking at the Tenants?

A paper released by the Furman Center and Moelis Institute at New York University sites the incomes and rent burdens of tenants living in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. The authors used tenant-level data from 16 states, representing over 30 percent of all LIHTC units in all regions of the country. The report examines tenant incomes, rental assistance and rent burdens in order to shed light on key questions about the largest federal supply-side affordable housing program. The authors revealed that competition for affordable housing remains fierce as higher income households units compete with lower income renters. Nationwide there are only 32 units of adequate, affordable rental housing available for every 100 extremely low-income renters. Congress passed a mandate requiring state housing agencies to collect and provide LIHTC property tenant data; the goal is to obtain a complete comprehensive analysis of LIHTC data. To read the entire report, go to: http://furmancenter.org/files/publications/LIHTC_Final_Policy_Brief_v2.pdf

Teens Helping Teens

Four years ago when Alexandra Kaplan was 14 years old she was deeply moved by an article she read about an 18-year old girl who was aging out of the foster care program and moving into a lonely apartment with all of her belongings packed in a plastic garbage bag. For many teenagers, turning 18 represents a time of celebration as they experience the first day of adulthood. Other teens, who have spent the majority of their lives in foster care, are faced with other challenges; finding a job, a place to live, and transportation. "When I first saw the picture of the foster teen sitting in an empty apartment," said Alexandra Kaplan, "I was just really touched." So, Alexandra and three of her close friends created Project 1841, which stands for 18-year-olds, 4-girls, 1-cause.

Broward County’s agency, ChildNet, manages the foster care system and provides Project 1841 with a list of those teens who are about to age out of the system and into independent living. Project 1841 then donates a personalized care package in the form of a suitcase filled with personal supplies and a birthday card to every single foster child in Broward County who turns 18. Project 1841 has made a significant difference, not only to ChildNet, but more importantly to the many teens aging out of the foster care system. To learn more about Project 1841, visit their website at Project1841.org.

3

United Way’s Day of Caring Transforms a

Foster Care Home

The 67 children who reside in SOS Children’s Villages foster home in Coconut Creek spent the weekend away at camp while their rooms and yards were receiving a surprise renovation thanks to the staff and 800 volunteers of United Way of Broward. Among the many enhancements the volunteers painted walls, replaced bedding, assembled new furniture, installed new blinds and landscaped.

"It is pretty heart-warming every day around here, just to see the way that folks show their compassion and caring by really doing something – something that makes a difference,” remarks Kevin Duvernay to Jen-nifer Reeves of NBC Miami. The effort was the mission of United Way’s 21st Annual Day of Caring, presented by Memorial Healthcare System.

Funding Opportunities

FY2012 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program: Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Special Needs Assistance programs has launched the FY2012 CoC Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). HUD is making available approxi-mately $1.61 billion in Fiscal Year 2012 for the CoC Program. The application deadline is 7:59:59 p.m. EST, January 18, 2013. For additional information go to: http://www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewResource&ResourceID=4709

City of Coral Springs, Florida: The City of Coral Springs application package is now available for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 (NSP3). For additional information go to: http://www.coralsprings.org/CMSContent/File/NSP3_Application_Revised_9-7-12.pdf

City of Lauderhill, Florida: The City of Lauderhill provides funds for the First-Time Homebuyer-Purchase Assistance Program as a loan to qualified persons for down payment and closing costs. The funds are awarded on a first-come, as-needed basis; to the extent that funds are available . For additional information go to: http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/FIRST-TIME%20HOMEBUYER%2009.pdf

For more funding opportunities, scan this QR code with your smartphone or visit:

http://www.broward.org/BROWARDHOUSINGCOUNCIL/FUNDINGOPPORTUNITIES/Pages/Default.aspx

Renter Household Incomes

The increase in cost-burdened renter households coincided with the rise in housing prices during the housing bubble. Not only did cost-burdened renter households increase from 43.5 to 60.4 percent during this period, the percentage of “extremely” cost-burdened renter households (> 50 percent of household income on housing costs) increased from 20.8 to 29.7 percent. According to 2010 U.S. Decennial Census estimates, cost-burdened renter households increased by 48 percent (128,838 households) from 2000-2010 and “extremely” cost-burdened renter households by 51.1 percent (36,245 households).

4

Gross Rent as Percentage of Household Income 2000-2010

2011 Broward County Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, P32

Vision Statement

All residents of Broward County should have opportunities to access safe,

decent and affordable housing countywide which is the cornerstone for

healthy, successful and sustainable communities.

Council Members

Lois Wexler, Chair

Monica Navarro, Vice Chair

Robert Baldwin

Richard Barkett

George Castrataro

Cynthia Chambers

Innocent Chinweze

Ann Deibert

Frances Esposito

Paul Figg

Caryl Hattan

Richard Lemack

Rosalind Osgood

Mercedes Nunez

Frank Schnidman

Marcia Barry-Smith

Lisa Vecchi

Scan this QR code to visit the Broward Housing Council’s website on a smartphone

Contact Information

Broward Housing Council Housing Finance and Community Development Division

110 NE 3rd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Office: 954-357-4900 Email: bhc@broward.org

Learn more by visiting the website at: www.BrowardHousingCouncil.org

5