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Commissioner’s Message

From the Desk of Commissioner Heather Moraitis

he City Commission is committed to helping the 2,300 men, women, and children
in Broward County experiencing homelessness. The City has joined the initiative,
TUnited We End Homelessness, by partnering with AutoNation, Broward County,
the United Way of Broward County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and a
coalition of business leaders to alleviate the county’s homelessness epidemic. The
Broward Business Council on Homeless is supporting Broward County’s Continuum of
Care “Housing First” approach. “Housing First” is a national best practice that focuses
on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent
housing, then provides additional support services based on individual needs. The
Salvation Army is exploring a day respite program, which will offer a place to gather
during the day to provide the much needed support services. Additional wraparound
services will be provided throughout the community to ensure those who need help
receive medical, mental health, and social services. The new Landlord Engagement
and Assistance Program (LEAP) will provide incentives for landlords with rental housing
units in Broward County who rent to residents experiencing homelessness.
Heather Moraitis Fort Lauderdale is expanding its effort to provide a Comprehensive Homeless Strategy
District I Commissioner that leverages resources and unifies a collaborative effort to ending homelessness. The
City is doing so by initiating a Community Court Pilot Program that directly addresses
the City’s strategic goals of reducing non-violent crimes, supporting public safety, and
reducing homelessness. The City applied for and received a $200,000 grant from the
Center for Court Innovation and the Department of Justice to implement and administer
the first Community Court in Florida. To continue our effort to ending homelessness, the
City Commission approved funding to support a Food Repatriation Program, to address
the repatriation of food from restaurants to homeless shelters and food pantries around
the City that serve meals to neighbors. Additionally, over the last two years, Fort
Lauderdale successfully administered a Rapid Rehousing Program that leveraged
$900,000 in state funding along with local resources to provide permanent housing for
498 of the most vulnerable homeless in our city, which included 115 families. We will
continue to work with community partners to find permanent housing for those in need.
If you are a member of the business community and want to learn more about the
Broward Business Council on Homelessness or the LEAP program, please call
954-462-4850 or visit www.UnitedWeEndHomelessness.org. Individuals, families
and community organizations wishing to participate in collaborative efforts to end
homelessness are encouraged to call 954-357-6101, or email
AWayHome@Broward.org.
Together we will find a home for everyone in Fort Lauderdale. I encourage you to
join us in this effort.

For More Information:
• Sign-up for Email Updates/Newsletters to get additional links to important city
information, upcoming events, photos, commission agendas and meeting
reminders for district meetings. Please contact District 1 Assistant Melissa
Coningsby, MConingsby@fortlauderdale.gov or 954-828-5033, to receive emails
or to schedule an appointment.
• Follow Commissioner Moraitis on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn @heathermoraitis

Heather Moraitis
District I Commissioner

12 The Landings & Bay Colony