The City of Hollywood has programs to help financially struggling residents, Hillcrest leaders learned at the Aug. 3 Leadership Council meeting. It was held at Rec Room 2 on Hillcrest Court. The programs are based on income. And disabled people may get moved ahead on a waiting list based on their condition and need.
Steven Hurtig, President of Hillcrest 25, chaired the meeting. He introduced District 6 Commissioner Idelma Quintana, who represents our community at City Hall. Quintana stressed that leaders attending the meeting should feel free to share information with residents in their buildings. But, she added, they don’t have to be experts. Rather, it’s enough to get out the basic information, with City contacts who can provide more information and answer specific questions.
Two of those City officials attended the meeting: Ryon Coote, Manager, Community Development Division, Department of Development Services. He can be reached at rcoote@hollywoodfl.org or (954) 924-2958.
Donna Biederman, Community Development Project Manager also spoke. She can be contacted at 954-921-3381 or dbiederman@hollywoodfl.org. Also, you can get Commissioner Quintana at iquintana@hollywoodfl.org or (954) 954-921-3321.
One City program is called Neighborhood Pride. It provides 10-year loans that get reduced 10% every year for 10 years, meaning that at the end of 10 years, the loan is forgiven. The program pays for external repairs such as impact windows and doors for eligible condo owners. However, this program does not allow for improvements to common areas for condo buildings, including landscaping or signage. You must complete an application with income information to get qualified for the loan.
The City also offers a 30-year deferred loan that can be renewed for another 30 years. Residents can use the money to make improvements inside their unit such as: plumbing, electrical, air handler, and handicapped accessibility for eligible condo owners. Again, people get accepted based on their income.
Quintana left a variety of information sheets at the meeting. Here is basic information on some of these resources:
- Operation Sacred Trust offers support services for South Florida veteran families. Learn more at www.411veterans.com. Or call (855) SSVF-411
- The Gold Seal Initiative is a Broward County program to promote quality childcare. Call (954) 357-4800 to learn more.
- The Broward County National Alliance on Mental Illness is there for people struggling or in crisis. You can call (954) 316-9907 or go to www.namibroward.org
- Have a young child? You may want to look into the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County, Inc. Contact (954) 377-2188 or go to www.elecbroward.org.
- Or maybe you are elderly or a veteran. In this case you may want to reach out to the Elderly and Veterans Services Division of Broward County, at (954) 357-6622.
The Commissioner spoke a month after she joined Marie Woodson, our District 105 State House Representative, at the July Leadership Council meeting. The officials addressed pressing financial issues, including skyrocketing insurance costs for condo associations, high costs from mandated 40-year structural and electrical inspections, as well as a requirement that some Hillcrest buildings install expensive sprinkler systems.
Commissioner Quintana reminded us that Representative Woodson is putting together proposals to see if the state Legislature will take action to help people in need. The Commissioner said that she stays in touch with State Representative Marie Woodson and our County Commissioner, Beam Furr. She will continue to discuss ways that City, County and State resources may be used to help with the issues that create a financial burden for residents on fixed or limited incomes.
