Media Contact:

Nina McDowell

Urban League of Broward County

Direct: 954.625.2545

Email: nmcdowell@ulbcfl.org

For immediate release

Urban League of Broward County Selected to Build Afford Housing Through New County Project

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. (March 24, 2017) – The Urban League of Broward County has been selected to build affordable single-family homes as part of a new Board of County Commissioners project to construct more homes for qualifying very-low to moderate-income households across Broward County.

The county’s Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division of Broward County has entered into an agreement with the Urban League and nine other Broward County nonprofit housing agencies to construct forty new affordable single-family homes.

Each nonprofit agency, including the Urban League, is being awarded four lots to build homes with a minimum of 1,500-square-feet, three bedrooms, two-baths and a two-car garage. The agencies will need to get permits within six months and complete construction 12 months after permitting. 

The homes will be available for purchase through a lottery system to very-low to moderate-income households who qualify for first mortgage financing with an approved lender and who will use the homes as their primary residence.

The County may also provide purchase assistance for qualified buyers. All new buyers are required to attend homeowner education class and meet current Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division underwriting criteria for the home purchase and loans. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity to provide homeownership opportunities for families wanting a place of their own,” said Germaine Smith-Baugh, Ed.D., president and CEO of Urban League of Broward County. “We are excited to have been selected for this much-needed project to provide homeownership for families who too often have a difficult time finding decent and safe places to live.”

Applications will be available starting April 3 at Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division or online at Broward.org/Housing/Pages/Default.aspx. The application period will be open until 12 PM, May 26 and completed applications need to be delivered in person to the following address:

Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division

110 NE Third Street, Suite 300

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, excluding holidays

For further information call: 954-357-4900.

The other participating nonprofit agencies are: 

1. Broward Alliance for Neighborhood Development (BAND)

2. Dania Economic Development Corporation

3. Habitat for Humanity of Broward

4. Housing, Opportunities, Mortgage Assistance and Effective Neighborhood Solutions, Inc. (HOMES)

5. Housing Foundation of America

6. Liberia Economic and Social Development

7. Minority Builders Coalition, Inc.

8. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida, Inc.

9. Sunrise City Community Housing Development Organization, Inc.

About Urban League of Broward County

The Urban League of Broward County is a not for profit organization founded to empower communities and change lives. Our mission is to assist African Americans and other disenfranchised groups in the achievement of social and economic equality. Our “Breaking the Cycle” programs uplift more than 11,000 people every year through affordable housing initiatives, youth development and diversion, employment and training, community empowerment, and civic engagement. Learn more about the Urban League of Broward County by visiting: www.ulbroward.org.