High-speed internet is a necessity these days but many people go without it because it’s too expensive. It is estimated that about 92,000 households in Palm Beach County currently lack access.

Lowering the prices of high-speed internet has been a priority for Vice Mayor Weiss since taking office. Weiss has been engaged locally as well as on state and national levels. He’s currently serving as vice-chair of the Telecom and Technology Committee with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and holds other leadership positions within the Florida Association of Counties (FAC).

When he arrived at the White House on May 9th he toured the East Wing and was led to the Rose Garden. There, President Biden and Vice President Harris announced that they have secured private sector commitments that will lower high-speed internet costs for millions of American families through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Households can qualify for the ACP if their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, or because a member of the household receives SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Pensions or Retirement Benefits, among others. See if you qualify by visiting www.getinternet.gov

Today for two reasons one of the best days ever. I was invited by the President to be a part of today’s announcement of a new internet accessibility program. For the last 2-years, I and others have been working to bridge the digital divide. Our private partners have come to the table that will provide high-speed access fully covered through the $30 per month federal program. Families across Palm Beach County and the rest of the country will no longer have to choose between access and other bills. Eligible households can sign up at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov

First Time Homebuyer Program – June 20, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. – August 22, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. (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 8:00 a.m. - until ALL funding is expended. Funding will assist income-eligible homeowners 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 8:00 a.m. - until all funding is expended. Funding will assist applicants impacted by COVID-19, 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. 

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

Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

Telephone: (561) 233-3600

[email protected]

Congratulations Indian Ridge Class of 2022!!!

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) hosted a Certificate of Commendation Awards Ceremony for the local FAA employees who helped a man without flight experience safely land a plane on May 10. Vice Mayor Weiss and other county leaders honored Robert Morgan, Mark Siviglia, Joshua Somers, Gregory Battani, and Ryan Warren for their heroic swift actions, experience, skill, and calmness under pressure.

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department will restore Kennedy Bunker built in 1962 and the former Coast Guard station built in 1936 on Peanut Island. Parks staff took Vice Mayor Weiss on a tour to show him what kind of work needs to be done.

After a couple of years, Sunfest was back and Vice Mayor Weiss happily wore his volunteer shirt and badge. He posed next to the aqua sunglasses, a signature icon of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County.

Get up close to these larger-than-life sunglasses as this icon makes appearances at dozens of destinations throughout The Palm Beaches. Click here for locations and dates.

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 3, 2022, Vice Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation declaring May 2022 as Arts and Culture Month in Palm Beach County.

On May 3, 2022, at the Board of County Commissioners meeting, Vice Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation declaring May 14, 2022, as National Association of Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day in Palm Beach County.

May is Mental Health Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care Month and Vice Mayor Weiss was part of the kick-off event for Get Your Green On. The theme for 2022 was Resiliency & Community Healing.

The West Palm Beach Mental Health Coalition (WPBMHC) hosted their 4th Annual Family Mental Health & Wellness Festival at The Salvation Army Community Center.

Vice Mayor Weiss joined them and many other organizations to help relieve the stigma associated with mental health through education, conversations and awareness; by providing access to mental health services for the underserved communities of West Palm Beach.

Visit Vice Mayor Weiss' Facebook page for more photos and stories.