Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to execute an Agreement between Broward County and United Way of Broward County, Inc., in the amount of $150,000, retroactive from December 21, 2017, through June 30, 2018, for the purpose of providing emergency assistance, permanent housing and case management assistance to Broward County residents affected by Hurricane Irma; authorizing the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement up to $500,000, subject to prior approval of same by the Office of County Attorney; and authorizing the County Administrator to take all administrative and budgetary actions needed to implement the Agreement.

(Items 37 and 50 were heard concurrently.)

ACTION:  (T-10:21 AM)  Approved.  (Per the Tuesday Morning Memorandum, MOTION TO AUTHORIZE:   Line 3, Currently reads:…in the amount of $150,000…should read..in the amount of $45,000 granted to Broward County…
Line 6, currently reads:…authorizing the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement up to $500,000, should read:..authorizing the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement up to $500,000 at no cost to Broward County…)

VOTE:  8-0.  Commissioner Geller was not present. 

Board approval is required to enter agreement with an external agency and to recognize a revenue source not in the current budget and appropriate funds.

This program will help approximately 60 families avoid homelessness as a result of continuing effects of Hurricane Irma, and enable them to better recover from those consequences.

None.

THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE FAMILY SUCCESS ADMINISTRATION DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THESE ACTIONS.

This item supports the Board's Value of approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately and the related Goal to effectively advocate for and seek local, state, and federal funder support that adequately addresses the health and human services needs of the entire community through a truly coordinated system of care.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, several hundred residents of Broward County were unable to return to damaged housing, or lost housing as a result of lost earnings after the hurricane. Most of those residents were able to receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and recover to a level of stability before that assistance ended. However, over 100 families will not be able to achieve recovery before January 6, 2018, when further FEMA assistance will end.

United Way of Broward County, Inc., has received funding from United Way Worldwide to address hurricane related social service needs, and part of those funds will be used to pay for the temporary case management and housing deposit costs of the residents. Residents will be responsible for the ongoing monthly cost of housing they obtain, they need assistance to handle the costs of relocation, especially the significant deposits required for security and last month's rent. In addition to the security payments, Family Success Administration Division will also provide case management assistance to develop and implement each affected resident's recovery plan. That case management will be provided by temporary case managers. United Way estimates that at least 60 families will be referred for assistance under this Agreement, and half of those families will require short to medium term case management.

Ismael A. Martinez, Director, Family Success Administration Division, (954) 357-5003
Natalie M. Beasley, Assistant Director, Family Success Administration Division, (954) 357-6403