BROWARD, FL – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Broward County under a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) over $ 6.8 million to “hurricane harden” the North Homeless Assistance Center  (located in Pompano Beach) and the Central Homeless Assistance Center (located in Fort Lauderdale), both facilities are operated by the Human Services Department. The HMGP funding will provide improved wind resistance to the existing building envelopes; the work includes new or improved roofs, exterior walls, doors and windows that will meet hurricane requirements per Florida Building Code building. The HMGP funding also provides funding for the installation of new generators for both facilities that will allow both facilities to operate during certain emergencies.

In addition to obtaining FEMA funding, the Construction Management Division, working in concert with Community Partnerships, was able to procure an additional $1.8 million, to the already available $1.2 County funding, as approved by the Board of County Commissioners under the County’s Capital Improvement Program. The additional $3 million County funding will allow for the construction of a new covered, secured entrance and lobby for the North HAC facility and will allow for upgrades to the intake areas, including new processing and examination rooms and improved ADA restrooms.

 “Broward County cares for its most vulnerable residents, particularly in an emergency, and we are grateful for this collaboration with FEMA and our community partners,” said Commissioner Nan H. Rich. “These assistance centers are open 7 days a week and keeping them powered and available is crucial to our efforts to care for homeless families.”

“This grant will go a long way in ensuring the resilience of our buildings and our homeless assistance programs,” said Kimm Campbell, Director of the county’s Human Services Department. “Many families with children receive services through the assistance centers that are vital to their success in finding permanent housing.”

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is an important source of federal disaster assistance. Funds may become available following the presidential declaration of a major disaster, and help strengthen communities by improving buildings, facilities and infrastructure that people use every day. A recent report found that for every dollar spent on hazard mitigation, six dollars of recovery and rebuilding costs are saved.

In addition, States such as Florida that meet higher mitigation planning criteria may qualify for a higher percentage than the standard 15 percent additional grant funding provided under this program. Florida has a FEMA-approved Enhanced Mitigation Plan, making the state eligible for HMGP funding of up to 20 percent of the estimated total amount of money spent by FEMA. From this amount, HMGP reimburses the County up to 75 percent of eligible costs for mitigation projects.

DATE: October 30, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS: Ric Barrick, Assistant Director, Office of Public Communications
PHONE: 954-357-8541
EMAIL: rbarrick@broward.org