1969
Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the 37th President of
the United States.
Our country was at war,
and we were in a financial recession as our troops pulled
out of Vietnam.
Apollo 11 landed successfully on the moon, and almost half
a million people attended Woodstock to listen to music and hope
for a brighter and more peaceful future.
2009
Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President
of the United States.
Our country was at war,
and we were struggling through a recession that started
in December of 2007.
Water was discovered on the moon.
Michael Jackson died, and within a few moments, millions of people
mourned his passing, causing Twitter and Wikipedia to crash and
Google to think it was under attack.
Some things change. Others remain the same.
In 1969, and consistently every year through 2009,
Broward County Housing Authority has been creating, providing and
increasing quality housing opportunities to Broward County residents
through effective and responsive management and stewardship of
public and private funds.
We invite you to share a snapshot of our past 40 years,
and examine our accomplishments in 2009.
YEARS
Building On Success for 40 years
In the beginning and 40 years later...
In 1969, the Broward County Board of Commissioners acknowledged that
“there is a shortage of safe dwelling accommodations in Broward County
available to persons of low income at rentals they can afford.” They created
Broward County Housing Authority.
At that time, Broward was a county of 620,000 residents with a median
household income of $8,409 and a typical home costing $15,000.
Congress had just established an operating fund to assist housing authorities
in operating and managing public housing.
By the end of 2009, Broward had become a county of 1,759,591
residents with a median household income of $55,541 and a typical home
costing $198,550. Broward County Housing Authority had successfully
applied for and been awarded $66 million in Housing Choice Voucher
funding, providing 6,000 families with the opportunity to secure quality
housing in neighborhoods of their choice. Public housing rental units
operated by the Authority in various parts of the county provided homes
to another 374 families.
Broward County Housing Authority expanded its assets to include the
construction and operation of 490 units of privately financed affordable
housing and acquired a small rental community of 64 apartments, also
operated as affordable housing.
Today, a staff of 97 administers Authority programs which serve a combined
population of 12,000 residents daily.
1990 - FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH
Reflecting on this agency’s 40 years of service to Broward County, I can’t help
but think about 1969, the year we were founded. That too was a tumultuous year
for America. There were economic challenges and the need for affordable rentals
for families of modest means was high. Then as now, Broward County Housing
Authority was there providing housing opportunities for our citizens.
The past year presented challenges for our country and our community.
Broward County was hard-hit by mortgage foreclosures and the highest
unemployment we have seen in decades.
Funds from our partners at Broward County, United Way of Broward County, and
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allowed our
staff of Housing Counselors to assist scores of local families avoid foreclosure.
In 2009, we learned that while housing prices decreased, demand for affordable
rental housing in our area is greater than ever. Difficult financial markets, however,
made affordable housing development nearly impossible. By taking advantage of
decreased property values to purchase properties to develop in the near future,
we positioned ourselves favorably for 2010 and beyond.
We received funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act both by
formula and competition to fortify all of our units with hurricane-resistant windows
and doors and to improve access for handicapped residents and visitors.
FROM OUR CEO
Kevin Cregan
My thanks to our Board of Commissioners for their support and guidance and
to the volunteer members of our Audit Committee and Real Property Investment
Committee for their commitment and expertise. Thanks also to our wonderful and
capable staff who serves our clients and tenants so well day in and day out.
I am proud that for the past four decades, the Authority has been instrumental
in offering Broward families affordable rental housing and housing assistance,
allowing them housing choice options. It is with optimism that we move forward
to meet whatever challenges lie ahead.
Kevin Cregan
CEO
Building buildings. Building lives.
The original mission to create housing for persons of low income has evolved
through the years to recognize that providing buildings to house people only
addresses a part of the need to help Broward families.
In the 1980s, the concept of creating community partnerships to provide
families with expanded opportunities and an improved quality of life became
a core value of the Authority. Committed to responding to local needs, in 1987
the Authority expanded its presence in the community by creating a HUDcertified Housing Counseling Program to encourage homeownership and offer
assistance to families to help them improve their housing conditions and better
meet their obligations as homeowners or renters.
In a further expansion in 1990, the Family Self Sufficiency Program was
established to provide information and resources to assist residents in achieving
their economic and educational goals. Other special programs such as Shelter
Plus Care and Family Unification were added to help disabled persons and
families separated due to inadequate housing find permanent homes.
These initiatives were part of the Authority’s commitment to provide many
options and services to residents to assist them in facing the increasing
challenges of a complex housing market.
1980 - Crystal Lake Garden Apartments Completed
It is my distinct honor to serve as Chair of the Board of Commissioners.
Throughout its 40-year history, Broward County Housing Authority has provided
superior service to Broward County residents.
We have grown up with Broward County during its most explosive population
boom. In 1975, we built our first Public Housing and awarded our first rental
voucher in 1976. Today, we provide homes for nearly 1,000 families at our
properties and serve more than 6,000 families through our Housing Choice
Voucher and other rent subsidy programs. In the last decade, we have
administered more than $550 million in public funds transparently and with
proper stewardship.
Housing opportunities for our community are a key to its economic growth,
and the Authority has been a leader in bringing private investment equity to the
development of 490 new affordable rentals for local families and seniors
since 2007.
Thank you to our staff for their wonderful work throughout 2009. Sincere thanks
to our Commissioners for their vision, dedication, and commitment to excellence
and integrity. Thanks to the members of our Audit Committee and Real Property
Investment Committee for their guidance and advice on complex issues that faced
us throughout the year. To all of our partners who assisted us based on their
resoluteness of common purpose, I thank you sincerely and look forward to our
next 40 years.
FROM OUR COMMISSION CHAIR
Sharon Day
Sharon Day
Chair
Board of Commissioners
Many of the advancements that Broward County Housing Authority has
been able to make are attributed to the outstanding members of our
Board of Commissioners.
1970 - BROWARD COUNTY
BCHA has five volunteer commissioners appointed by the Governor to four year terms.
One of the commissioners must be a recipient of either Section 8 or Public Housing
Assistance. Each Commissioner considers himself/herself as a “trustee” of the
Authority and as such, strives to ensure that the Authority is well maintained, financially
secure and operating in the best interest of those who are served by its programs
and services.
1969 Founding Board of Commissioners
Commissioners 1973 through 2008
Jack W. Needy, Chair
William G. Brangham
Basil M. LaVergne
Eric A. Roberts
James J. Gardener
Carole L. Andrews
Nancy Botero
William J. Boye
Gloria Shirley-Brown
William E. Casady
E. Gerald Cooper
Michael C. Dearden, Sr.
Howard R. Ehlinger
Sandra G. Friedman
Lee W. Schooler, Executive Director
Seth E. Gelman
John R. Gibbs
Vincent R. Grande
J. Roger Harris
Claire S. Korda
Henry I. Lustgarten
Margaret V. Mayes
James R. McKinley
Maurice Hank Meyers
Michael Palladino
James C. (Lou) Rawls
Harry Rosenkrantz
Richard C. Simeone
David Slater
Emanuel G. Sottiriou
Patrick R. Vinci
Leon L. Watts
Nadine N. Williams
1
2
2009 Board of Commissioners
1
2
3
4
5
Sharon Day, Chair
Mercedes J. Núñez, Vice Chair
Joseph M. Cobo
John E. Aurelius
Juan Selaya
3
5
4
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was established
as a cabinet-level agency in 1965. The increased national importance placed on
housing and the health of cities was matched by Broward County in 1969 when
the County Commissioners created the Broward County Housing Authority to
address local housing needs.
1970 to 1979 – HUD Experiences Era of Change
A moratorium is placed on housing and community development assistance;
Community Development Block Grants are created; an emphasis is put on
Section 8 rental assistance and devolution of authority from HUD to state and
local government is promoted.
BCHA experiences growth connected
to turn-key public housing where
private developers undertake activities
necessary to produce units, and the
new Section 8 Program provides
rental assistance for families.
• Applications are processed for 1,000 units of turn-key housing with sites to be determined by need
• BCHA opens first 212 public housing rental apartments for
income eligible families. Sites have day care centers to accommodate
working parents
• Awarded first 385 units under Section 8 Program
• Through a nonprofit corporation, builds 100 units of senior
(subsidized) housing
1980 to 1989 – HUD Grows Rental Assistance
Tenant based Section 8 Voucher Program expands; fair
housing protections increase; social problem of homelessness
receives attention; and Low Income Housing Tax Credit is created
to encourage construction and rehabilitation of
low-income housing.
BCHA completes more than 300 units of new public housing
while focused on adding to its supply of Section 8 vouchers.
• Opens 100 unit public housing community designed for elderly and disabled
• Opens 100 one and two bedroom apartments of public housing for elderly and disabled
• Section 8 Program grows to 1,592 vouchers with a budget
increasing to $6.2 million
• 10 single family rental homes constructed (public housing)
• New office building constructed to house the Authority’s
growing administrative and Section 8 Program staff
• Inception of the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program offering guidance and advice to families and seniors
• Small Business Opportunity initiative helps public housing
residents start their own businesses
• Opens 77 units of newly constructed family housing
• Opens a new 37 unit public housing community for families
1990 to 1999 – HUD Concentrates on Homelessness and Reinvention
Resources are put into HOPE VI program for reconstruction of deteriorated public housing;
HOME Program grants for states and local governments to develop affordable housing,
and the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act allowing housing authorities greater
operating discretion.
BCHA recognizes the continuing challenge of providing housing for low-income families
and seniors and opens its last public housing development. Through rental assistance
programs, it aids special categories of families and through new initiatives promotes
greater self-sufficiency for those receiving assistance.
• 15 single family homes, acquired in 1985, are sold to qualified publichousing residents
• A family development of 50 units opens
• Partnering with Women in Distress, provides vouchers to persons linked with
domestic violence services
• HUD awards Section 8 Certificates to implement the Family Self Sufficiency initiative to help families achieve economic independence
• Shelter Plus Care Program launches to provide housing for disabled persons who are homeless
• Approved to provide rental assistance to families separated due to lack of adequate housing through Family Unification Program
• Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Program (ROSS) assists public housing residents to increase self-sufficiency and ability
to become homeowners
2000 to 2009 – HUD Focuses on Meeting the Nation’s Challenges
From the devastation of Hurricane Katrina to chronic homelessness and the economic
downturn, the challenge for HUD is to increase available, decent, safe, affordable housing
and improve the quality of life for families and communities.
BCHA continues to increase housing opportunities for local families by expanding its affordable
housing program. Nearly 500 new rentals are created while rental assistance for persons with
disabilities also receives priority attention.
• Mainstream Disability Program initiated to provide low-income disabled families with
rental assistance
• Affordable Housing Plan approved by the Board of Commissioners provides
a strategy to create non-HUD housing using private equity financing.
Low income housing tax credits opens a new source of funding for affordable
housing construction
• Authority purchases existing 64 unit property as first acquisition under its affordable
housing program
• Authority partners with Broward County on rental subsidy program to assist
homeless families
• Authority collaborates with other service providers in a team approach to offer rental
assistance to chronically homeless individuals
• Redeveloped Crystal Lake affordable community opens, featuring190 new apartment
homes in a gated family community
• New affordable apartments at Tallman Pines open, combining energy efficient
design with amenities found in market rate properties
• Opening of Highland Gardens II, a privately financed community adjacent to the
original Highland Gardens makes use of underutilized land to add much needed
affordable housing for persons 55 and over
Department Accomplishments
ASSET MANAGEMENT
2006 - REDEVELOPING CRYSTAL LAKE
• Maintained U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development High Performer designation
• Provided property management and maintenance services to
928 families throughout the year
• Administered capital improvement projects totaling $2,146,858 on time and within budget including installation of hurricane impact windows at each Public Housing property
• Installed water saving plumbing fixtures at College Gardens reducing domestic water consumption by 45% and significantly decreasing costs
• Successfully competed for nearly $900,000 in grant funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to be used to upgrade solar water heating to improve energy efficiency and
water conservation
RESIDENT RELATIONS
• Won a Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials award for Best Newsletter Large Agency, for exceptional content and design
• Won a Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Best Practice award for successful partnership with Mederi Caretenders/Quality of Life for wellness centers at Griffin Gardens and Highland Gardens I and II
• Facilitated computer centers and computer training for elderly and disabled residents at Highland and Griffin Gardens
• Published the first annual BCHA calendar and used a logo
contest among K-12th graders to develop and adopt Resident Relations logo
• Sponsored the first Friends and Family nights at Griffin and
Highland Gardens to provide residents with an opportunity to socialize with neighbors and family members as well as develop a supportive network within their community
HOUSING COUNSELING
• Attracted grant funds from United Way of Broward County and Fannie Mae, enabling the Department to expand services to assist families faced with mortgage foreclosure
• Assisted 537 clients in obtaining mortgage modifications to help save their homes
• Awarded $200,000 in emergency financial aid to families facing foreclosure through no fault of their own
• Provided first-time homebuyer classes to more than
240 potential homeowners
• Staff volunteered at foreclosure and first-time homebuyer events held throughout the County providing referral advice
and counseling to 160 families
DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN RESOURCES/RISK MANAGEMENT
• During the downturn in economy acquired key parcels of property suitable for future multifamily rental development
• Worked with Asset Management Department to develop housing prototype adaptable for various property sizes particularly useful to
communities on smaller in-fill lots, setting a standard that can easily be replicated
• Prepared BCHA to act as a developer with smaller projects instead of acting as a co-developer
• Completed construction and stabilized occupancy at Highland Gardens II, a 100 unit complex housing low-income elderly families
• Secured the services of an insurance consultant which resulted in substantial cost savings to the agency
• Hosted first employee Health Fair which attracted large
employee participation
• VP for Human Services/Risk Management appointed as Chair of
the Florida Public Housing Authorities Self-Insurance Fund
ASSISTED HOUSING
• Achieved “High Performer” designation from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Provided service to more than 5,000 private property owners and 6,000 families through the Housing Choice Voucher and other rent subsidy programs
• Expanded services to parents separated from their children due to lack of adequate housing and to homeless military veterans
• Registered 600 families headed by an elderly or disabled person on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• Successful implementation of Assisted Housing Department’s
new software system
• Upgraded network connectivity of all BCHA offices in Broward County, resulting in reduction of costs and increased bandwidth
to the properties
• Contributed to the successful development and implementation
of the newly designed BCHA Website
FINANCE
• Appropriately accounted for more than $78 million in expenditures through more than 100,000 business transactions
• Successfully upgraded landlord payment system for our 5,000 landlords with no interruption in service
• Increased the utilization rate among landlords using direct deposit to 92%
• Successfully renegotiated contracts for goods and services realizing annual savings of more than $40,000
2005 - Crystal Lake Demolition
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is composed of volunteers appointed by the Board of
Commissioners. The five member committee reviews and gives the Board
recommendations regarding the quarterly financial report and financial statements.
Members also review the annual operating budget, the draft of the annual audit,
and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners concerning selection
of an audit firm.
William A. Webb, C.P.A. (Chair)
William A. Webb & Associates, LLC
Julie Baird, C.P.A. (Vice Chair)
Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A.
Aurelio Fernandez
Administrator, Memorial Hospital
Miramar
Annual Budget 5 Year Increments
Millions
Fiscal Year
C.A. Messana
Owner/Operator, C.A. & Company
Catering
John C. Herbst, C.P.A.
Internal Auditor, City of Fort Lauderdale
Financial Report
Throughout Fiscal Year 2009, Broward County Housing Authority remained a
vibrant housing provider operating in a fiscally and socially responsible manner.
Statement of Net Assets
September 30, 2009
Demolition of a public housing property resulted in unamortized depreciation
expenses of $1.7 million and a loss of rental income. The rebuilt property,
valued at approximately $30 million, should add $20 million to the Authority’s net
assets (construction is planned for FY 2011). Combined net cash flow from this
and previously redeveloped properties will provide an important revenue source
well into the future.
Current assets
$
Restricted assets
22,653,268
402,695
Capital assets, net of depreciation
23,251,937
Total Assets
46,307,900
Current liabilities
2,435,749
Non-current liabilities payable from restricted
assets
402,695
Long-term liabilities
818,344
Total Liabilities
3,656,788
Net assets invested in capital assets, net of
related depreciation
23,251,937
Unrestricted assets
19,399,175
Total Net Assets
$
42,651,112
Direct land purchases for future affordable housing expansion totaled
$1.2 million and added several parcels of undeveloped property to the
BCHA portfolio.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program placed $66.6 million into the local
economy in the form of rental payments to private property owners.
The Authority made additional housing assistance payments totaling more
than $920,000 to relocate families from a structurally damaged public housing
development. These additional payments were able to be disbursed from reserves
accumulated through prior prudent management of the voucher program.
BCHA was able to assist more families than in previous years in spite of economic
challenges and a much lower interest income on non-operating revenues.
An increase of $3.7 million in federal grants and subsidies permitted the Authority
to expand housing assistance to special populations such as veterans and families
through the Veteran’s Affairs Supported Housing Program and Family
Unification Program.
As FY 2009 came to a close, Broward County Housing Authority renewed its
commitment to serve our community and to provide the responsible stewardship
that has been our hallmark for the past 40 years.
Steven A. Cortese
Chief Financial Officer
2009 - Highland Gardens II Ribbon Cutting
AWARDS
2009
Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials - Kevin Cregan Named “Housing Authority Executive of the Year”
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification: Tallman Pines Apartments
HUD “high performer” Section 8 Management Assessment Program, Public Housing Assessment System
NAHRO - National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
Award of Merit Park Ridge Court 1990
Award of Merit Direct Client Services/Housing Counseling 1991
Award of Merit Accelerated Placement Program 2000
Award of Merit Crystal Vision Computer Center 2000
Award of Merit Section 8 Landlord Workshops 2001
Award of Merit Community Affairs Resource Development 2002
Award of Merit ExCEL Project 2002
Award of Merit Project Step-Up 2003
Award of Excellence (National Award) Maintenance Hands On Testing 2004
Award of Merit A Family Home 2005
FAHRO - Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
Best Practice Award Maintenance Hands On Testing Program 2004
Newsletter Award 2006
Best Practice Award Affordable Housing Plan 2007
HUD Small Business Opportunity Program 1989
Housing Finance Authority Distinguished Service Award 1995, Outstanding Achievement Award 1996
Human Resource Association of Broward County Best Practice Award Maintenance Hands On Testing 2005
Nan McKay Pioneer in Housing Award (National Award) 2007
Developer Magazine Sustainability Award Tallman Pines 2008
Real Property Investment
Committee
The Real Property Investment Committee offers advice on proposed real
estate transactions. These board appointed volunteers bring a range of
business, banking, legal and real estate expertise to the committee.
They may offer guidance on proposed acquisitions, redevelopment of
existing properties, partnerships with developers, or other potential
affordable housing development projects.
J. Gary Rogers, Chair
Executive Director
Community Redevelopment, City of Lauderdale Lakes
PROGRESSO POINT
EHLINGER
Susan Delegal, Vice Chair
Attorney
Billing, Cochran, Heath, Lyles, Mauro & Ramsey, P.A.
Frank Gundlach
Real Estate Broker
Century 21 Rose Realty West
Highland Gardens II
Bradley M. Hubert
President
Hubert & West, Inc., Realtors and Mortgage Bankers
John Keating
Owner
State Realty, Inc.
Jim McKinley
Owner/President
McKinley Financial Services, Inc.
Highland Gardens Ii
Maritza Velez
Vice President
Private Banking Division, City National Bank of Florida
Suzanne Vordermeier-Waterhouse
Vice President
Vordermeier Management Company
CRYSTAL LAKE
YEARS
YEARS
4780 North State Rd 7, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
www.bchafl.org