Qualified residents impacted by COVID-19 will soon be able to apply online for rental assistance, thanks to the Broward County Commission.

Broward County has allocated $25 million in federal CARES funding for a program that will help residents pay portions of unpaid rent for the months of April, May, June, July and August 2020. Funds are not a loan, and do not have to be paid back.

Individuals may be eligible if they meet the following requirements:

• They are a Broward County resident
• They or someone in their household experienced a documented loss or reduction in income related to COVID-19
• Due to the loss of income related to COVID-19, they were unable to pay their rent
• Their landlord agrees to participate
• Assistance equates to a partial payment of rent. For months one and two of the owed rent amount the rental assistance program will pay, and the landlord must agree to, 75% of the amount due. For months three, four and five of rent assistance , the program will pay, and the landlord must agree to, 60% of the amount due. Late fees, if any, will not be covered by the program.

Payments are made to landlords, therefore if a landlord is not willing to complete the documents, the tenant will not be eligible for assistance.

Broward County’s Family Success Division is managing the application process and will approve and distribute funds until depleted.

Application Period Opens August 31

The application period is Monday, August 31 through Sunday, September 6, 2020, from 8AM to 10PM daily. Applications may be submitted online only, at Broward.org/CARES. A computer is not necessary, and the application can be completed on a smartphone or tablet. No in-person applications will be accepted.

Because applicants are required to attach significant amounts of substantiating documentation, residents who believe they are qualified are encouraged to begin today to collect documentation required for the online application process. For details, visit Broward.org/CARES. The application must be completed in one sitting and cannot be partially completed, saved or returned to at a later time.

Examples of the types of documents that may be required depending upon each unique situation are:

• Copy of valid government-issued ID
• Rental lease agreement or Tenant Verification Form, completed by landlord
• Late notice for past due rent/eviction notice/past due notification
  Paystubs
• Evidence of unemployment or loss of income if self-employed
  Once a resident’s application is assigned a case manager, he or she may be asked to supply other documents such as bank statements. Again, consult the website for details on documents that may be required at time of application.

“Our residents are hurting,” said Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness. “This $25 million rental assistance program can provide much needed financial assistance to many, many families who need our help, and help protect landlords and small businesses who need to collect rents to pay mortgages and other expenses related to property ownership.”

COVID-19 has impacted many Broward County families in many ways. If you have loss of income not related to COVID-19, and need help during this difficult pandemic, please visit our Family Success Division website to see what other resources may be available to you.

Broward County is trying to make sure numbers stay low, especially with the anticipation of an increase in activity over the Labor Day weekend, by increasing fines on those who do not wear masks. The county has estavlished a $100 fine but people could face a fine up to $1000.

The county has given out more thean 1680 warnings and citations since March 1. They say that as a result, the number of cases, etc. has declined. They hope that upping the fee will keep the numbers headed in a downward direction.

“Every member of the community has a role to play in protecting us from the virus,” said County Administrator Bertha Henry. “The wearing of facial coverings while in public places is a proven way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and increase the overall health of our community. We want everybody who lives in or decides to visit Broward County during this pandemic to know that we are a ‘mask community.’”

Municipal code enforcement authorities may establish their own fines for violations of the facial covering requirements; but are encouraged to follow Broward County’s lead to reduce confusion and ensure consistency throughout the community.

The enhanced enforcement program takes effect immediately.

District One Commissioner Michael Hudak is happy to host Saturday office hours via teleconference, Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. To schedule an appointment please contact the City Manager’s Office at 954-480-4263 or web.citymgr@deerfield-beach.com .

Fookly Ford shows off how to do topiary with friend Amelia Lim.

By Rachel Galvin

Across the street from “the historic Butler House”, at the Mid Century Modern home once owned by Martha and Robert Butler, The Deerfield Beach Historical Society has been very busy. They purchased the home and have spent months working to get it into shape to be a new cultural center, going through the home and cleaning, having garage sales to sell items that were within the home with proceeds going back to the historical society. They have a lot of plans in the works.

“We are very busy here. We are planning programs related to art, music, dance, oral presentations and more. Since we are in the midst of COVID-19, we have not been able to invite the public to our center,” said Deerfield Beach Historical Society President Emily Lilly.

But that hasn’t stopped the eager volunteers within the historical society from reaching out to the public in a unique way. They have turned the historic home into a studio and are shooting small video segments weekly. Right now, they have focused on history and also topics like home and garden since many are spending a lot more time at home these days.

Kai Buster, of Smart Girl Foods, does a cooking demonstration .

“Gardening, plants, food, etc. have become major conversations – sharing recipes, ideas, what can be done in the home to pass the days,” said Lilly.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, there were several segments being filmed by local photographer/ videographer Jeff Graves. The first was a presentation on topiary by Fookly Ford, who brought along her friend Amelia Lim. She showed how you could use a string wrapped around a tree as a guide to achieve the right shape for your tree before you start trimming.

Next was a cooking demonstration. The chef for the day was Kai Buster, an entrepreneur who has owned her own sauce-making business for eight years right here in Deerfield Beach called Smart Girl Foods. She usually sells her specialties at green markets, like the one in Boca Raton, online or at other personal appearances. This day, she was whipping up a pan of her special Saucy Bean recipe using ingredients like white beans, tomatoes, onions, minced garlic and her pesto and pink rose petal sauces, two of the 90 sauces she has created. She also used her vinaigrette as a dressing for a sample of salad. The few special guests in attendance had a chance to sample the delicious creations caught on camera.

Deerfield Beach Historical Society President Emily Lilly.

The cultural center still remains closed to the public.

“Hopefully, soon, we can open up the cultural center to the world,” added Lilly.

The videos will be available soon on the Historical Society website (www.deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.org).

Jeff Graves does videography.

The City of Pompano Beach announces their new Small Business Relief Grant Program to help those suffering due to COVID-19 restrictions. The grant, an initiative of the Economic Response Team, will provide a one-time grant of up to $25,000. The program is sponsored by the  city’s Office of Housing and Urban Improvement. They are using funds from the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Businesses must have 25 employees or less to qualify. Grants are given on a first come, first served basis. Since City Hall is closed now, applications are only accepted via email. 

Interested? Get the details at http://bit.ly/CoPBGrant .Then, call 954-786-4659 or email OHUI@copbfl.com. You can also check out the city’s website for updates at https://pompanobeachfl.gov/pages/ohui .

Ready to deliver supplies.

By Rachel Galvin

Photos provided by The Dana Agency

Sealed kits ready for students.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, Broward County’s largest back to school drive put on annually by the Broward Education Foundation found a new way to deliver needed donated school supplies to schools. Sealed 18-piece basic school supply kits were given to every student in 112 Title I elementary schools in Broward County. Donations were open through Aug. 21. This year, Brightstar Credit Union was one of the participants.

For more information on Broward Education Foundation, visit www.BrowardEducationFoundation.org/BSCU

Andy Warhol shopping at Gristede’s supermarket on Second Avenue, by Bob Adelman (executed 1964, printed 2008). Archival inkjet print. Gift of Bob Adelman

By Rachel Galvin

Bring a little art into your life! Stuck at home due to COVID-19? Brighten your day with a little beauty. Now you can see fine works of art like Warhol, Modigliani, Purvis Young, Toulouse-Lautrec and countless others online at Google Art & Culture thanks to Boca Raton Museum of Art. The art museum is always doing something new. Check online for what programs and exhibitions they may have coming up next.

Check it out at www.artsandculture.google.com/partner/bocamuseum

For more information on the museum, visit www.bocamuseum.org.