Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

While our region is at the epicenter of the national foreclosure crisis, there is a common misconception that there is no longer an affordable housing problem in Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Data and stories from our nonprofit community tell us otherwise. In fact, according to the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, as of 2008, nearly 35,000 households in our region are on the brink of homelessness, barely bringing in enough money to cover the costs of their housing.  In 2008, the unemployment rate hovered around 6%. In 2010, we continue to see unemployment rates of above 11% and nearly 20% in our western communities. One can only imagine the drastic increases in the numbers of families facing their own housing crisis. Families or individuals who are homeless are also faced with challenges of attaining safe and decent affordable rental housing, as detailed in our 2008 Rental Housing Study of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Collectively, we need to address the need for shelter, affordable housing and prevent homelessness.

 

Following the Safety Net Challenge, our Board of Directors made an unprecedented decision to focus our efforts and Community Impact grantmaking on food and shelter. Our goals in this area are to increase our community’s capacity to prevent homelessness among our most vulnerable populations and to provide immediate shelter for homeless individuals and families. In partnership with Community Impact and Donor Advised funds, examples of recent grants awarded to address issues of homelessness in our communities include:

 

 

In addition to grantmaking, we have partnered with the Palm Beach County Homeless Advisory Board to establish the Community Fund to End Homelessness in Palm Beach County. Donations to this fund are used to make grants to nonprofit organizations that are providing services for the homeless, preventing homelessness and other work to implement the Ten-year Plan to End Homelessness in Palm Beach County.
 

In 2009, the CFPBMC approved a $4 million PRI to the Florida Community Loan Fund which was to be deployed by the organization in low-interest loans to support rental housing development.  With the collapse of the housing market, a deteriorating credit environment and changes in government funding, CFPBMC was unable to deploy these resources as anticipated.  In response, the Community Foundation has re-programmed this funding and is now in process of implementing this new strategy which was recently approved by the Foundation’s Board in October 2011.  Read more……