Broward County Receives Funds for Helping the Homeless
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced the 2008 HUD Homeless Continuum of Care awards, including more than $1.5 billion in awards for the Homeless Continuum of Care Program nationwide. Broward County has received $9.2 million in 16 project grants, that will fund or provide services in support of 968 beds in the community for eligible homeless clients.
One new permanent housing project for homeless clients with disabilities adds 21 new units of permanent supportive housing toward helping to fulfill goals set out in the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Of the 16 awards received by Broward County, nine were for permanent housing, including 541 beds; and six for transitional housing, renewing 427 beds. One other program was for supportive services for 200 emergency housing beds. These programs will serve homeless adult and youth clients: individuals, families, veterans; those with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities; substance abuse disorders; mothers with children; pregnant women; and those who are “chronically” homeless and who have co-occurring disorders.
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| County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Operations
Have Moved to Government Center West
IThe following services of the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division have relocated from the downtown Governmental Center to Government Center West, 1 N. University Drive, Plantation. Customers should park and enter through the west side of the building.
Licenses: Auto Repair and Auto Body/Paint Shop; Chauffeur (Hack License); Contractor (Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, LP Gas, Engineering, Tree Trimmer); Elevator; Kosher Foods; Movers; and Tree Trimmer.
Permits: Building Permits (Unincorporated Broward County Only); Building Permit Records Search; Vehicle for Hire Permits; and Zoning Permits.
Certifications/Other: Auto Repair and Auto Body/Paint Technician Certification;
Community Code Compliance (Unincorporated Broward County Only); Lien Research; and Payments (Lot Clearing). |
Broward County Housing Council Formed
A Broward County Housing Council has been formed to serve in an advisory capacity to the County Commission and facilitate coordination between the County, municipalities, the business community and not-for-profit groups to address housing issues including, but not limited to, affordable housing, workforce housing and homelessness.
The next scheduled meeting is May 8, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. For additional information call 954-765-5311.
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Broward County’s Reef Cleanup Project Earns Award
In June 2007, Broward County and the United States military embarked on a monumental pilot project to remove hundreds of thousands of tires from an area adjacent to a coral reef off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. Nearly one million tires were placed on the seafloor during the 1970s and early 1980s in a failed effort to establish an artificial reef.
Recently, the project was selected to receive a prestigious 2008 Coastal America Partnership Award for “outstanding efforts to restore and protect the coastal environment.” The award is expected to be presented in June 2009 when the military returns to resume the cleanup.
Coastal America is a federal organization that brings together multiple agencies to tackle complex environmental restoration and protection projects. The diverse team of experts assembled for this pilot project, under the direction of the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, included divers from the U.S. Navy, Army and Coast Guard. The team removed 10,370 tires during the 20 days that weather and ocean conditions allowed them to work. In 2008, the team returned for a 90-day full-scale removal program that served as year one of a three-year plan. More than 44,000 tires were removed.
Once the tires are removed, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection funds the transport of the tires to a waste tire processing plant. In 2008, the tires were processed into tire-derived fuel in Georgia and sold to a recycled paper plant.
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Property Appraiser Schedules Outreach Events for March
The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office hosts community outreach events each month throughout the county to assist residents with exemption applications and answer questions on property taxes. Applications for portability will also be accepted. For details, visit www.bcpa.net and click Community Outreach Calendar.
Associations that wish to schedule a meeting with someone from the Property Appraiser’s Office, or to schedule a homebound visit, should contact Community Outreach Coordinator Kelly Brown at 954-357-6035 or email krbown@bcpa.net. |
BCT Plans Comprehensive
Operations Analysis of Bus Services
Broward County Transit (BCT) began conducting a Comprehensive Operations Analysis of bus services in February 2009. The system-wide effort will take a route level analysis of BCT bus operations in order to improve current service and to plan for future transit service needs in Broward County.
The first step in this process is a survey of BCT riders. Surveys will be distributed on all BCT local routes and community buses during all times of the day throughout the month of March and into early April. The surveys are available in English, Spanish and Creole. Riders are encouraged to participate in the survey effort, which can be completed while riding the bus. For more information, contact Jonathan Roberson at 954-357-8338.
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Broward County March on
Hunger Food Drive Continues Through March 31
Broward County is sponsoring a “March on Hunger” Food Drive through March 31 to benefit the Daily Bread Food Bank and the Cooperative Feeding Program. Members of the public are encouraged to drop their food donations off at collection boxes located throughout the County – at the Governmental Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Government Center West in Plantation, the main courthouse and three regional courthouses, and seven regional libraries.
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County Launches “Go Green”
Web Site
To build upon such nationally recognized programs as NatureScape Broward, the County has launched a new Web site, “Go Green,” that puts everything County government is doing to “go green” in one easy-to-access Internet location. The Web site highlights County initiatives in transportation, tourism, conservation, recycling, environmental preservation and education and outreach. It also includes links to the activities of the County’s Climate Change Task Force, and tips that helps residents and businesses “go green”. Visit www.broward.org/gogreen.
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“Meet the Agencies” Small Business Workshop Series Continues
The Office of Equal Opportunity Small Business Development Division’s “Meet the Agencies” free workshop series continues in March and April. The workshops are designed to provide small business owners with an insider’s look at how Broward County agencies operate and how they work with the local business community. The series is part of Broward County’s commitment to providing the local business community with opportunities in County procurement.
Workshops will be held from 6:30 to 7 p.m. on various dates throughout the year at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call the Broward County Small Business Development Division at 954-357-6400 or visit www.broward.org/smallbusiness and click on Workshop Schedule. The next sessions are March 25, 2009, featuring Aviation Expansion Program Construction and Aviation Expansion Program Engineering divisions, and April 22, 2009, featuring Public Works Department and Construction Management and Facilities Maintenance divisions.
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Sunny.org Gets New Look and Feel
The official tourism site for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB), sunny.org, has re-launched with a new look and feel, enhanced content and the ever-popular “beach cams” for visitors to see live beach shots updated every 15 seconds while planning the ultimate trip. To view the changes, go to www.sunny.org.
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Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Family Success Center
Human Services’ Family Success Administration Division will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Edgar P. Mills Family Success Center Thursday, March 19, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will take place at 900 N.W. 31st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, just south of Sunrise Boulevard across from the Swap Shop. Family Success Centers are a one-stop source of social services information, referrals and services to assist individuals and families in setting goals, learning skills, and accessing the services they need to build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit. The previous Mills Family Success Center building was heavily damaged during Hurricane Wilma, and staff has been maintaining a temporary office location on State Road 7 since then. For more information, call 954-357-6333.
To Receive Community Update Please Send Email to Us
Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information. |
For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Communications
at 954-357-6990 or by e-mail at publicinfo@broward.org.
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