By Cindy Arenberg Seltzer
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – The Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) is proud to announce a $500,000 investment in a collaborative partnership with Legal Aid Service of Broward County, the Broward County Human Services Department (BCHD), and the Manne Foundation to expand Legal Aid’s Homelessness Prevention Program. This initiative will provide critical legal and financial support to children and families at risk of eviction, addressing the growing housing crisis in Broward County.
Broward County continues to face significant housing challenges, with inflated home prices, rising rental costs, and a shortage of affordable housing leading to increased homelessness among families. CSC has been a longstanding supporter of homelessness prevention, leveraging emergency flex funds to assist families facing unexpected financial hardships.
The new partnership builds on the success of the Manne Homelessness Prevention Program, stablished with a $1 million investment from the Manne Foundation in 2022. Over the past 1.5 years, this program has assisted 472 individuals, including 200 adults and 272 children, by employing dedicated legal professionals to mediate between tenants and landlords to prevent evictions.
With the additional $500,000 investment from CSC, Legal Aid Services will expand its program by hiring an additional attorney, paralegal, and legal assistant to support families referred by CSC-funded programs and ChildNet. These resources will focus on assisting families facing temporary financial challenges, ensuring they receive the legal and financial support needed to stay in their homes.
The collaboration also includes BCHD, which recently increased its funding for rental assistance programs from $210,000 to $360,000, recognizing the critical need for homelessness prevention. BCHD further invested $1 million to expand partnerships with Legal Aid Service of Broward County and Coast to Coast Legal Aid Services.
“Homelessness prevention is not only a cost-effective solution but also a vital investment in the well-being of our children and our community,” said Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, CSC
President/CEO. “By partnering with Legal Aid Service, BCHD, and the Manne Foundation, we hope to provide families with the tools and support they need to maintain housing stability.”
The average cost to prevent homelessness is $1,068.94 per individual, compared to $47,000 annually for the county to support a homeless individual. This partnership underscores CSC’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity and protecting Broward County’s most vulnerable residents.
For more information about CSC’s collaborative efforts, visit cscbroward.org.
About the Children’s Services Council of Broward County:
The Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) is an independent taxing authority that funds programs to support the well-being of children and families. Established by a public referendum in 2000 and reauthorized in 2014. By collaborating with community partners, the Council ensures children in Broward County grow up healthy, safe, and prepared for success in school and life. CSC provides leadership, advocacy, and resources through strategic planning and funding aimed at empowering children to become responsible and productive adults. Our focus is our Children.
Follow us on Twitter at @CSCBroward and on Facebook. For more information about the
Children’s Services Council of Broward County, please visit www.cscbroward.org.
