Staff Report

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – Open enrollment for Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s two Pompano Beach locations has been extended through Friday, July 30. Through Habitat Broward, hardworking families can obtain affordable homes with affordable mortgages through a combination of sweat equity hours, a modest down payment and coursework.

It is a four-step application process that includes a pre-qualification questionnaire, orientation, financial analysis review and face-to-face interview. Successful applicants can expect to move into a home within 12 to 18 months.

Qualifications include but are not limited to the following:

• Must be a first-time homebuyer.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident.

• Must be a current Broward County resident (for a year or more).

• Must demonstrate a need for affordable housing.

• Must be able to make a $2,000 downpayment broken down into monthly instalments.

Interested families can go to habitatbroward.org/2020-pre-qualification-questionnaire/ and start the pre-application process.

Seven hard working families received keys to their new homes from Habitat for Humanity of Broward on Saturday, June 26 at A Rick Case Habitat Community in Pompano Beach including Jamaican Americans Gilbert Francis and his wife Karen Smith-Francis.

Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Harden, Vice Mayor Beverly Perkins, and Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief joined the new homeowners to celebrate along with Habitat home sponsors, board members, family, and friends.

“STABILITY AND SECURITY” The proud first-time homeowners include Monique Canteen, Jeanna and Neco Huie; Latandra Mitchell, Karen Smith-Francis and Gilbert Francis; Lauren Smoot, Kenya Wright, and Shirley Yunez. “We wanted the stability and security that comes from buying a Habitat home, it’s less expensive than rent and you actually pay yourself, not the landlord,” said Karen Smith-Francis a patient care technician at Westside Medical Center. Smith-Francis and her husband Gilbert Francis said they were ready to hang photos from their favorite memory when they got married in Jamaica ten years ago. “We married our soulmates,” said Smith-Francis.

“I’m immensely proud of these families for becoming new homeowners, and so very thankful for our sponsors, volunteers and construction team.” said Nancy Robin, Habitat Broward executive director & CEO. “Habitat Broward is committed to helping families accomplish their goal of homeownership and financial stability, ultimately supporting and sustaining a more vibrant community.”

“BUILDING FUTURES”

Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s Rick Case Habitat Community, and the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County, has announced the “Building Futures” pilot program. Modeled after a similar program in Cleveland, Ohio, the goals of the program are to introduce students to career opportunities in a variety of trades, engage them in taking responsibility for their future and set them on a path for a successful and rewarding career.

Through a unique approach, Habitat home building projects will be used to give selected 16- through 19-year-old students eight weeks of intensive hands-on experience with a variety of skilled construction trades. In addition to providing new homes for families in search of affordable housing, this program will provide these students with a better understanding of the career opportunities available to them in the skilled trades and give them the introductory skills needed to enter this field.