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Mayor’s Message

Addressing Homelessness

n November 26, 2018, the City of Fort Lauderdale joined with Broward
County government and the Homeless Collaborative in Broward to announce
Oa major initiative to bring an end to homelessness in our downtown.
This partnership represents a thorough, holistic approach to homelessness. We are
committed to working together to address this longtime community challenge in the
most caring and compassionate way possible. I have high hopes for our success.

We have been planning this undertaking for more than six months with our partners.
In putting this program together, we wanted to do our best to get it right. We took
our time, we engaged outside experts, and we traveled to communities that have
been successful in addressing homelessness. We obtained critical buy-in for our
approach in advance. We are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

For too long, the encampment between the library and Stranahan Park has stood as a
Dean Trantalis symbol of our community's inability to adequately address the issue of homelessness.
Mayor
City of Fort Lauderdale The people there live in miserable conditions.
Under the initiative launched today, we are helping place them in supportive housing
through a rapid-rehousing program. We are combining housing with intensive case
management in which individuals will receive assistance in finding work, recovering
from substance abuse and overcoming health issues.
Our homeless partnership has identified housing units that are ready to be made
available to those in need. For some, the stay may be temporary while they receive
job assistance or go through recovery. For others, the housing will be permanent
because of physical or mental health issues. In addition, we are committed to family
reunification whenever possible and will make every attempt to seek out relatives
that can assist.

Both the county and city are increasing how much we spend on homelessness so we
can launch this program. In addition, we have received generous support from the
private sector. Financial contributors have included AutoNation, BB&T, Bank of
America and the Castle Group. While housing is costly, it is less expensive than the
Office Contact: current hidden costs of homelessness borne by our hospitals and jails. The program
Scott Wyman should help reduce emergency room visits, as well as the rate of incarceration.
Assistant to the Mayor Communities are often judged by how they deal with their less fortunate. This is the
swyman@fortlauderdale.gov
type of humane approach that I've long said is needed. We will help these
Phone: 954.828.5004
individuals while also ensuring we have a downtown that is safe and welcoming to
residents, businesses and visitors.
In closing, I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a great new
year. If you are looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve, please consider the
Downtown Countdown with anchor-drop heralding in 2019. HB
Sincerely,

Dean Trantalis
Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale

10 HARBOR BEACH Magazine | www.harborbeach.org