19 Dec CRA Board Approves $255,000 for Home Repairs and Renovations in the Historic Dorsey Riverbend Community
The Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners have approved $255,000 in funding for a one year pilot project for home repairs and renovations for eligible properties in the Historic Dorsey Riverbend Community, in partnership with Rebuilding Together Broward County.The objective of the pilot project is to improve the visual landscape of the NFP-CRA area, to enhance the pride of ownership and to improve property values by repairing and enhancing homes and landscapes.
A major component of the Nothwest- Progresso-Flagler Heights Community Redevelopment Agency’s (NPF CRA) neighborhood housing improvement program “is the revitalization of residential neighborhoods. In this pilot project, the NPF CRA will partner with Rebuilding Together Broward County to rehabilitate one quadrant of the Historic Dorsey Riverbend Community. With the assistance and guidance of the Historic Dorsey Riverbend Community Civic Association, homes in need of repair in a particular quadrant will be identified and rehabilitated in a block by block approach. The improvements will include home repairs and renovations and the installation of low maintenance landscaping. These services will be free of cost to homeowners.
Rebuilding Together Broward County is a leading national non-profit organization, creating safe housing, revitalizing communities and eliminating slum and blight in communities.Through their collective efforts of community revitalization, they are able to identify and strengthen the assets already present in the area. The removal of slum and blight is just one component to building a healthy neighborhood. Focusing their efforts in one community, in a block-by-block approach, creates momentum for a neighborhood to be transformed over time. Rebuilding Together works to make a sustainable impact in the community by addressing quality of life issues through the provision of critical home repairs and improvements at no cost to the homeowner. Rebuilding Together activities have a direct impact on: (1) retention of home ownership and improvement of affordable housing stock, (2) health, safety and independence of vulnerable populations, and (3) community and neighborhood revitalization.
Every Rebuilding Together Broward County project is a product of collaboration. For each project, Rebuilding Together recruits skilled labor, materials, and volunteers at a discounted rate or no cost. Each year they work with more than 1,000 volunteers, skilled trades persons and companies who help them provide health, safety and quality of life enhancements for families and homes. Since its inception, Rebuilding Together Broward has made immediate, long-term, and significant health and safety repairs to homes, changing the lives of more than 1,200 individuals. The retail value of Rebuilding Together services is estimated at more than $4,000,000 based on financial donations, volunteer labor, and donated materials and supplies offered by dozens of local businesses and companies.
Eligible Properties
The properties eligible for improvements under this program are single-family, owner occupied residential homes or family owned rentals (i.e. the owner of the property has
entered into a long-term arrangement with a family member at below market rental rates, not to exceed four contiguous units). The NFP-CRA intends for this program ultimately
to be accessible to as many homeowners in the area as possible. Staff anticipates that the average expenditure for each home is approximately $5,000.00. However, this
amount may be exceeded upon inspection of the property and discovery of significant repairs and life safety issues. All homes must be approved by the Area Manager for
funding under this pilot program. In most instances, the owner of the property shall not be required to execute any recorded instruments and failure to maintain the property shall
be subject to enforcement under the City’s code, policies and procedures. In the event approval is given for significant and material repairs to a particular home, the property
owner must sign an instrument in recordable form in which they agree to maintain the improvements for a minimum of seven (7) years.
The NFP-CRA will work alongside Rebuilding Together Broward County on this pilot program. The NFP-CRA may provide up to $7,500 per property in additional funds for
external painting and xeriscape landscaping under its Residential Façade and Landscaping Program. Rebuilding Together Broward County will administer the program
by selecting contractors and will procure the building materials, tradesmen and volunteers for each eligible home.
Consistency with the NPF CRA Community Redevelopment Plan Section 8.C., titled “Other City and CRA Government Functions – CRA Incentives and
Programming,” provides that the CRA will establish incentive programs as deemed appropriate to address redevelopment obstacles and these incentive programs may be
modified, expanded, eliminated, or added as a new program at any time. A major component of the redevelopment strategy for the NPF CRA is the revitalization
of the residential neighborhoods. This project is consistent with the NPF CRA Community Redevelopment Plan which provides for physical improvements to enhance the overall
environment, improve the quality of life and attract sound business and commercial development that provides employment and job opportunities.