Habitat Broward’s Nancy Robin (third from left) and Habitat Broward Board Chair Robert Taylor accept a $1 million grant check from (left to right) Alice Jackson, Cynthia Borders-Byrd, Stacy Ostrau and Linda Carter, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward.
Habitat for Humanity of Broward is excited to announce that it was awarded a $1 million grant by the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward on “Giving Tuesday” (November 28).
The grant will assist the agency as it builds the largest community in its 34 year history – A Rick Case Habitat Community – which will cover nine acres in Pompano Beach and feature 77 homes as well as a community park/playground.
Miss Mary N. Porter’s memory will be honored with a street sign in her name and a bronze statue of her as a child in the Mary N. Porter Reading Garden situated in the park. The park will serve not only the 77 families, but also the greater community in the Blanche Ely neighborhood.
Prior to her death in 2009 at age 98, Porter lived much of her adult life in Broward County. Her father was a doctor from Pottstown, Pennsylvania who she said instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility for others.
“This tremendous award we were honored with yesterday gave new meaning to ‘Giving Tuesday,’” said Nancy Robin, Habitat Broward’s CEO & Executive Director. “We are beyond grateful and excited to partner with the Community Foundation of Broward and to honor Miss Mary N. Porter’s philanthropic legacy in such a powerful way.”
“Habitat for Humanity has great vision, strong leadership and a track record of making a difference in our community,” said Linda Carter, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Broward. “We truly believe in this project and its power to transform lives to create a better Broward, which was Mary’s vision.”
The $1 million award will help Habitat Broward with both infrastructure and foundations for Habitat homes. The award means that 77 hard-working, low-income families will be able to have safe, decent, affordable homes in a community adjacent to schools, businesses and transportation corridors.
According to the NYU Furman Center/Capital One report, South Florida is the least affordable rental market among the 11 largest metropolitan areas studied. Most recently, a June 2017 report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University found that nearly two of three renters in South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties) spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In addition, more than one-third of renters in South Florida (304,200 households) are severely cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than half of their income on housing. This leaves little money for healthy eating, medical attention, clothing and transportation. Habitat Broward makes affordable homeownership possible for families struggling to keep a roof overhead.
The award to Habitat Broward by the Community Foundation of Broward is a giant leap forward in our mission to build homes, communities and hope.
About Habitat for Humanity of Broward
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Broward brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat Broward offers a “hand up” not a “hand out” to low to very low-income families who are unable to qualify for conventional financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives. Key initiatives include empowering partner families through education, resources and support to successfully achieve their personal, academic and professional goals; teaching the youth of future homeowner families the skills and attitudes needed to make better life choices and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty; increasing awareness and educating the community regarding issues related to the affordable housing crisis and what they can do to help; pursuing green building certification for Habitat Broward homes in order to make our design more sustainable and eco-friendly; as well as revitalizing and strengthening the community by building affordable homes throughout Broward County. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Broward please call (954) 396-3030 or visit our website at www.habitatbroward.org or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HabitatBroward.
About Community Foundation of Broward
Founded in 1984, Community Foundation of Broward helps families, individuals, and corporations create personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. We provide leadership on community solutions, and foster philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. Our 450 charitable Funds represent $180 million in assets and have distributed $96 million to help Broward BE GREATER. For more information about the Community Foundation of Broward, visit www.cfbroward.org or call 954-761-9503.
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