BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — In an effort to provide energy efficient and affordable housing for individuals and families of low, moderate and middle income, the Broward County Housing Finance and Community Development Division has worked with two local developers to construct 21 energy efficient homes in the central County neighborhoods of Roosevelt Gardens and Washington Park. The approximate $3.7 million cost is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Disaster Recovery Initiative (DRI).
An Open House will be held Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to unveil five model homes, located at 1502, 1507 and 1508 N.W. 27 Ave. (Roosevelt Gardens) and 2954 N.W. Ninth St. and 2903 N.W. Ninth Place (Washington Park).
Two local builders, Access Builders and Inner Urban Asset Management, are constructing the homes, most of which feature three bedrooms, two baths and two-car garages. Three models have a fourth bedroom including a barrier-free one.
The barrier free home, designed for a homebuyer with physical handicaps, will be wheelchair accessible. This home will have no front steps and will feature extra wide doors and other barrier-free qualities such as lower roll-under counters, roll-in shower, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-height toilet, grab bars, hand-held shower and easy-to-get-to closets.
Nine homes in the Roosevelt Gardens neighborhood are near completion and seven in the Washington Park area are expected to be ready within a couple of months. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners recently approved five more homes.
The homes will be sold to first-time homebuyers at prices in the $140,000 to $155,000 range, depending on the model and recent appraisal. Eligible homebuyers may qualify for down payment assistance in the form of a seller’s credit.
Prospective buyers must be income-eligible, that is, have a household income of no more than 80 percent of the median income. The County’s median income for a family of four is currently $61,700, so a family of four must have an income not exceeding $54,500. A minimum down payment of 3 percent will be required, as well as a first-time homebuyer education certificate. The applicant must also obtain a preapproval or prequalification letter from a lender indicating the ability to secure a first mortgage.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-qualified, first served basis. Purchase applications and information will be available at the Open House. More information can be found on the division’s website, broward.org/Housing, or can be obtained at the Housing Finance and Community Development Division’s third floor reception area at 110 N.E. Third St. in Fort Lauderdale.
