May 27, 2022

Another Slumlord

I am so angry. Another slumlord.

LPP 700 Ave A LLC is registered to the same folks who own Las Palmeras Properties in Wellington - Pedro Ross & Sophia Warren Bitela. They charged tenants rent to live in squalor like this. On April 7, 2022, they sold the property for $230,000 to Willie Frank Murray as Trustee of the Willie Frank Murray JR Revocable Living Trust.

On May 11, an attorney for the trust sent an eviction notice to the tenants giving them until May 31 to get out. The new owner wants to demolish the structure.

These are extremely low income families, about 40 individuals in all. The County was immediately contacted to assist with housing placement for these families.

I will do everything I can to place these residents. But it angers me - I think there ought to be a law requiring these slumlords to pick up the cost of such emergency housing, not the taxpayers, since it’s their inhumane actions that caused the need.

I am committed to working with legislators to write laws holding these despicable landlords accountable.

Foster Care Appreciation Proclamation

On May 24th, my Chief of Staff Kelley Burke presented a proclamation at Place of Hope declaring May 2022 as Foster Care Appreciation Month. During this month, we express our profound appreciation for those who make foster care possible and celebrate all those who have volunteered to invite a child in need into their hearts and homes.

For the last twenty years, Place of Hope has offered housing and support services designed to end the cycle of abuse, neglect, homelessness, poverty, and human trafficking. Thousands of children, young adults, and families are served annually at its campuses in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Stuart, and at the two campuses located in Palm Beach Gardens.

Comm. McKinlay Chief of Staff Kelley Burke with Charles Bender III, CEO, Place of Hope

The Arc Ribbon Cutting

On May 25th, my Senior Legislative Aide Joseph Sophie attended the ribbon cutting for The Arc of Palm Beach County's North Campus Achievement Center in Riviera Beach. The Arc's mission is to change the conversation around disabilities by defying definitions, inspiring possibilities, and improving the lives of the people they serve, their families, and our community.

This new facility is a wonderful addition to Palm Beach County, empowering the disabled community in a welcome, bright, and inspirational setting, and expands The Arc's offerings of programs, services, and opportunities to its clients.

Arc Achievement Center Ribbon Cutting_5.25.22 1.jpg

Arc Achievement Center Ribbon Cutting_5.25.22 2.jpg

Arc Achievement Center Ribbon Cutting_5.25.22 3.jpg

Commercial Vehicles/Semi-Trucks in Acreage Update

At the May 26th Zoning meeting, the County Commission heard a presentation from staff on commercial vehicles/semi-trucks in the Acreage and other Agriculture Residential-zoned areas.

The Board directed staff to initiate conversations with the Indian Trail Improvement District on a potential overlay, solely for the Acreage, that would specify exactly what would be allowed in this area regarding commercial vehicles/semi-trucks, including an absolute restriction on the number of such vehicles allowed.

The potential overlay would be brought back to the Board within 90 days for public input and Board consideration.

Housing Assistance Programs

Palm Beach County’s Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED) announces the availability of funding for the following programs:

HOME Investments Partnership Program – Funding Allocation of $1,800,000:

First Time Homebuyer Program – June 20, 2022 at 8:00am – August 22, 2022 at 11:59pm (or until 40 applications have been submitted). Funding will assist income eligible first-time homebuyers with gap financing, lot acquisition, down payment, closing costs and/or rehabilitation, to purchase a new or existing home. Applicants are required to attend a Mandatory Orientation prior to application submittal. Register now at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6869720/HED-HOME

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program – Funding Allocation of $500,000:

Foreclosure Prevention Program – June 27, 2022 at 8:00am - until ALL funding is expended. Funding will assist income eligible homeowners who are facing foreclosure due to an unexpected loss of household income.

Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Program – Funding Allocation of $2,100,000:

Mortgage Assistance Program – June 27, 2022 at 8:00am – until all funding is expended. Funding will assist applicants impacted by COVID19, to apply for up to $20,000, in financial assistance to help with paying delinquent first mortgage, escrow payments (PITI), second mortgages, late fees, condominium and homeowners’ association payments, special assessments, and other mortgage associated costs related to COVID-19.

NOTE: Applications must be submitted online, and will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability on the dates noted above by visiting the website at https://pbcgov.com/HED.

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED)

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

HEDverify@pbcgov.org