District 6 Update

County Commission Workshop Update

This week the County Commission held a workshop to discuss two significant challenges facing Palm Beach County: housing affordability and the environment/water.

The Board recognizes solving these challenges requires the efforts of federal, state, and local governments. The purpose of the discussion was to determine what could be done by Palm Beach County to address these issues. Particularly, we discussed whether we should ask taxpayers to vote on bond referendums to fund projects to alleviate the housing affordability crisis and protect and enhance our environment and water resources.

As I discussed last week, I recognize the struggle our residents are facing. That's why I asked staff to bring back specific data on how bonds would impact not only homeowners but renters as well. Our County must address housing and the environment, but we must be cautious not to overburden our residents as we face a tsunami of rising rents and homeownership costs. County staff will bring back more specific information to the Board for consideration at a future meeting, and we will then determine if we will place the bond referendums on the ballot for voters to decide.

Pride Parade

On March 27, I attended the Palm Beach Pride Parade in Lake Worth Beach. This was the 30th Anniversary of Palm Beach Pride, and I was so excited to see the turnout and enthusiasm for this important celebration. The attendees sent an important message: love is love and Palm Beach County is welcoming to all.

Pictured here (l to r) are Peter Cruise, Boynton Beach Mayor Ty Penserga, Michelle McGovern, MK Marsden, Rob Long, Commissioner McKinlay, State Attorney Dave Aronberg (with Cookie), School Board Member Alex Ayala, and Steve Licari.

PEACE Nehemia Action Assembly

On March 28, I attended PEACE's Nehemia Action Assembly. PEACE stands for People Engaged in Active Community Efforts, and each year the organization brings together congregations, elected officials, and the public to discuss critical issues facing our County and potential policy changes to help those who need it most. I appreciate the important work PEACE does for our community, and it was a pleasure to attend.

Senior Center in Belle Glade to Re-Open

The Palm Beach County Community Services Department is excited to announce that the Division of Senior and Veteran Service’s West County Senior Center will be re-opening to senior residents on Monday, April 4, 2022.

While services for senior residents have continued to be provided without interruption throughout the pandemic, many of the senior center locations have been closed to the public due to COVID-19. This is the second location to re-open, followed by the Mid-County Senior Center location at a later date.

The West County Senior Center is located at 2916 State Road #15, Belle Glade, FL 33430.

Main Phone: (561) 996-4808

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• No membership or fee required

• Minimal fee for some classes

• Contact your senior center for registration

The West County Senior Center will provide congregate meals as well as programs such as guest speakers, bingo, billiard/pool, card games, computer class, and the bookmobile and virtual programs will continue to be offered for those who are not yet ready to come back in person.

For more information on services and programming, please visit here.

Back to School PBC!

Registration is open for the 2022 Back to School PBC! Event. Back to School PBC! will be held on Saturday, July 30 at different locations throughout the county to be announced at a later date.

Registration is mandatory to participate in this event. Students must reside in designated neighborhoods or mobile home parks in unincorporated Palm Beach County to be eligible to register.

Please register online here and enter code PBCOCR for students to receive free school supplies and backpacks. Depending on the location and resource availability, participating students may also receive free food, haircuts, sneakers, socks, school uniforms, biometric health screenings, vision screening, blood tests, hearing tests, and other health-related resources. Several service agencies will be at hand to provide resources to participating students and their families. Registration closes on Sunday, May 15. 

An invitation will be sent two weeks prior to the event by email or regular mail to the address provided in the registration with the event’s location and time to attend. All efforts will be made to ensure that students are assigned to attend the event at a location which is closest to their home.

For more information, please contact the Office of Community Revitalization at ocrnews@pbcgov.org

Anquan Boldin Scholarship Deadline Approaching

The deadline to apply for a scholarship from Anquan Boldin's Q81 Foundation is April 15th.

"On an annual basis, The Anquan and Dionne Boldin Scholarship Foundation awards four $10,000 scholarships over the course of four years to high school graduates. In addition to the financial need, each student must demonstrate academic excellence and show leadership in their community."

To learn more and apply, visit here.

Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Assistance

Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation assistance funding is available f income eligible homeowners, residing in the unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, with substantial rehabilitation to correct code violations or items that will become a code violation. NOTE: Applicant must provide a statement on how their household was financially impacted by COVID. PROPERTY’S ASSESSED VALUE CANNOT EXCEED $352,371.

ARPA Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program applications will be available online by visiting the website at https://pbcgov.com/HED beginning Monday, April 11, 2022 at 8:00 am – Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:59 pm (or until 70 applications have been submitted). Applications will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ALL applicants are required to attend a Virtual Mandatory Orientation prior to application submittal. Interested parties may register at https://survey.pbcgov.com/s3/HED-Owner-Occupied-Housing-Rehabilitation. 

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

Email: HEDverify@pbcgov.org

In Closing

For rental assistance, click here: Emergency Rental Assistance Program