Nan H. Rich Broward County Mayor​ ​

I am proud to say the state of Broward County is STRONG.

At the beginning of my mayoral term, I chose a theme of Community Collaboration – Achieving More Together. My goal was to continue to work to solve the affordable housing crisis, serve the needs of those experiencing homelessness, and support seniors to continue aging with dignity at home. We have made great progress in these areas.

Affordable Housing

We are aware we do not achieve success alone. We have worked with our community partners to address the affordable housing crisis.

Since voters first approved creation of Broward's affordable housing trust funds in 2018, this Board has invested $140 million to build over 6,000 new affordable units across the County with thousands more on the way.

In FY2025, the County Commission allocated $25 million to the affordable housing trust fund, for gap financing for construction of new multi-family units, which provides a subsidy to the developer to make new family rental units possible. We also increased the period of time that these units stay affordable, from 30 years to 50 years, and some to even 99 years.

We recently awarded $28.4 million in gap financing to five affordable housing projects which will create 591 affordable units. An additional $3 million was awarded for a 92-unit senior housing project in the Broward Municipal Services District. This brings us to a total of 13 projects for seniors, with a combined 1,514 units built with $62 million in gap financing.

In February, the County Commission passed Housing Broward, a 10-year affordable housing plan which provides a framework for addressing Broward County's affordable housing crisis with the theme “Leading the challenge and sharing the burden." The plan was developed in partnership with Florida International University's Metropolitan Center and provides a coordinated, integrated approach that connects affordable housing and other critical planning and policy topics including economic development, land use and zoning, transportation, infrastructure and climate change. This is the first countywide master plan in the State of Florida, and it provides a solid path for our County and our cities to move forward with innovative solutions to our affordable housing crisis.

Homelessness

Homelessness is another affordable housing issue. Florida House Bill 1365, an anti-public sleeping camping law which was passed in Tallahassee, criminalizes homelessness and increases the urgency for us to expand additional housing capacity.

Commissioners have set aside seed money for a pallet shelter program. It is my hope that we will decide on a location for this project shortly and collaborate with United Way and other partners to get this project off the ground as quickly as possible, as one solution to a difficult and growing problem.

Though the need for transitional housing is great, our priority has to be permanent supportive housing. Housing is a human right and the absence of a home means living in fear and uncertainty. This year we expanded funding for our eviction prevention program, which has prevented the eviction of 555 families in Broward, including 320 children. The existing program administered by Legal Aid of Broward County will be expanded and an additional eviction program will be funded at Coast to Coast Legal Aid, focusing on preventing senior citizens from being evicted. Our Landlord Recruitment Program for families experiencing homelessness has been extremely successful with over 350 landlords in Broward that provide housing.

I want to thank the many community partners who joined with us to address the root causes of homelessness at our transit centers in Fort Lauderdale and Plantation. In February, 50 people were taken to shelters connected with mental health substance abuse shelters or received other medical attention. These partnerships are making a difference.

Economic Prosperity

While we face challenges of affordable housing, homelessness and other needs it is important to understand these conditions exist within an otherwise robust economy in Broward County. Broward is one of only five counties in Florida and one of the few counties in the nation with a AAA rating with S&P, Moody's and Fitch. Our diverse economy and effective management practices are at the core of the business success.

We passed a $7.7 billion budget for FY2025 without increasing the millage rate.

Port Everglades welcomed a record 3.8 million passengers this past year. Disney Cruise Lines started sailing here year-round last November, and in July added its newest ship, Disney Destiny, which is expected to make Port Everglades their home port in 2025.

Two ships were named at Port Everglades this year: Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Ascent and Silver Seas' Silver Nova. We welcomed Princess Cruise Lines' Sun Princess.

Broward began work on Port Everglades bypass road. This new roadway will improve traffic flow around the port and accommodate additional drivers expected from the expansion of our Convention Center. The total value of economic activity related to Port Everglades amounted to $26.5 billion. More than 192,000 Florida jobs were impacted by the Port.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) increased overall passenger traffic by 3.3 percent this year with 35.8 million visitors expected by end of the year. In May the County was awarded a $228 million construction contract as part of the terminal connector project at FLL, a game changer for the airport which is expected to be completed by 2027.

Construction Projects

The new Broward County Supervisor of Elections office opened for business this year. Commissioners approved $103 million for the funding of this building, which was finished on time and on budget, in time for the general election.

Broward completed work to expand and improve Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill. Over $11 million in improvements to bring the cricket stadium up to par was completed. We were one of only three venues chosen for the ICC men's T 20 World Cup cricket games. This is the first time the games were played in the United States. It is a big win for Broward County.

Broward County Transit played a major role in every significant event taking place this year. Decorated buses brought passengers to the Cricket World Cup, the Florida Panthers games, Juneteenth, Martin Luther King, July 4th, Memorial Day and the Stonewall Pride parades. We unveiled express electric buses transporting passengers to and from Broward and Miami-Dade counties. FDOT is a partner in the service that offers eco-friendly rides for commuters.

Significant service and infrastructure improvements gain speed from the PREMO plan and financing from the Penny for Transportation surtax, or Mobility Advancement Plan. We have completed 500 county and municipal surtax projects since inception in 2019 supporting transportation, fiber optic improvements, signalization, pedestrian and bike infrastructure, all of which bring economic opportunities to Broward.

Arts and Culture

Ninety arts organizations received grants this year totaling $6.7 million, and an additional $400,000 was awarded to 84 artists. This year launched a public art project to transform the 17th Street causeway bridge. We are working with FDOT on this amazing visual experience for everyone under the sun, everyone under the stars.

Broward County's hockey team, the Florida Panthers, won the Stanley Cup. We welcomed visitors from Canada and around the world, with the Panthers defeating the Oilers to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. We have signed a term sheet with the Florida Panthers that keeps the team here for another 19 years.

Libraries

This year Broward County Libraries celebrated their 50th anniversary. The number of people attending library programs increased 20 percent. Libraries are now serving more than 340,000 people. Total circulation of books exceeded 8.5 million which is a 20 percent increase. It is no wonder Broward County Libraries was honored with the Intellectual Freedom award this year and our Libraries Director was named Administrator of the Year by the Florida Library Association.  

Resilience

Broward County continues to lead on climate change. After 10 years of advocacy, the Central and Southern Florida flood control project is finally advancing. Broward County and the South Florida Water Management Control District are partnering to accelerate the Broward County component. We have committed $5 million towards resilience which will be led by the District, with a goal to finalize and secure federal appropriations for this long overdue infrastructure improvements project. In September of this year the Climate Change Task Force hosted the 7th Annual Resilience Roundtable with a record 82 attendees. On a global level, Broward County became the first county and 101st to join the Resilient Cities Network.

I have only highlighted a handful of incredible programs and people we serve in this county as a team of more than 6,000 employees working hard to serve the public every day. I thank them, and I thank my Commission colleagues for the leadership they have shown as we tackle problems facing the most vulnerable people in our community.

I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the 1.9 million residents of Broward and residents of District 2 who entrusted me with the honor of representing them.

I look forward to continuing the initiatives I championed as Mayor and working with all of you to ensure a bright future for everyone in Broward County. ​

Mayor Nan H. Rich​

View 2024 Broward State of the County Address​

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