2007-2008 ANNUAL REPORT - Broward Housing Solutions
Transcript of 2007-2008 ANNUAL REPORT - Broward Housing Solutions
• Long Term Assistance supports mental health consumers who are residents of Broward Housing Solutions for the life of their lease. This assistance represents the remainder or 70 percent of the monthly rent they cannot afford to pay.
Homeownership SolutionsBroward Housing Solutions offers a lease option purchase program, called
Homeownership Solutions, for low to moderate income Broward County residents with mental illness.
This housing program enables tenants to lease affordable rental housing within the home of their choice from Broward Housing Solutions for up to two years and then qualifying for a mortgage and soon become a proud homeowners. Through the assistance of local government and financial institutions, special interest rates and loan guidelines assist these tenants reach their dream of becoming homeowners.
This program matches qualified borrowers with properties within their price ranges. Broward Housing Solutions raises funds throughout the community to assist residents with down payment assistance, closing costs and renovation funds toward homeownership.
Housing Solutions for Young AdultsHousing Solutions for Young Adults provides
permanent and affordable housing for young adults aging out of the foster care system and who are recovering from mental illness. Broward Housing Solutions partners with SOS Children’s Village of Florida and Henderson Mental Health Center to provide the referrals. In most cases these young adults have lived most of their childhood under the protective care of the state, and at age 18 are required to fend for themselves, typically with no support system.
BROWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS PROGRAMSBy providing affordable and permanent housing, Broward
Housing Solutions supports the mental health consumers it serves by helping them build their lives on a strong foundation of recovery, allowing them to thrive and live safely in an affordable environment and reintegrating into society. Broward Housing Solutions accomplishes this by offering the following programs:
Rental Housing ProgramBroward Housing Solutions offers permanent supportive
and affordable housing to mental health consumers through its Rental Housing Program enabling clients to live independently throughout Broward County. Permanent and supportive housing allows residents to live independently by paying no more than 30 percent of their gross monthly income for rent.
These apartment and townhouse units are located across Broward County and are accessible to public transportation, shopping, employment opportunities and services. Based on the tenant’s housing needs, one, two and three bedroom properties are available in various cities. Affordability is maintained through rental subsidies up to the allowable rent which is supplemented through a range of grants and governmental funding.
Housing Subsidy ProgramBroward Housing Solutions administers a Housing Subsidy Program in
partnership with The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Substance Abuse Mental Health Program Office that assists with housing expenses: • Emergency Assistance is provided to mental health consumers who experience
a sudden change in their life situation necessitating rental assistance. This assistance is offered to individuals who are moving toward financially sustaining themselves without further assistance of rental subsidies for up to three months.
BOARD CHAIR AND PRESIDENT/CEO MESSAGEDear Friends,
Broward Housing Solutions has remained strong in spite of the strain of a challenging economy. While we have seen dramatic reductions in government funding and face uncertainty in this economic climate, we continue to provide consistent, meaningful services to Broward County’s mental health community. The bottom line is, because of us, people have homes.
Our numbers tell the story best: In 2007-2008, we provided affordable and permanent rental housing for 143 mental health consumers and their families, supported 82 consumers with rental subsidies, assisted two consumers in becoming proud first-time homeowners, purchased and/or completed construction on 4 properties which have provided housing for additional lower income persons struggling with mental illness.
We remain optimistic amid these uncertain times, realizing that our work is even more important. We have gained strength through our challenges resulting in additional efficiency, effectiveness and resiliency so we are a better non-for-profit establishment than when we first began. Because we have improved, we are able to have even more impact on those who we serve.
On behalf of our board, staff and community friends, we thank you for your continued support of Broward Housing Solutions.
Sincerely,
Stacey Lambert & Lisa VecchiStacey Lambert
Board ChairLisa Vecchi
President/CEO
2007-2008 ANNUAL REPORT
The mission of Broward Housing Solutions is to provide quality housing opportunities to meet the needs of lower income persons with mental illness.
OUR MISSION
NEW LEADERS: LISA VECCHI AND DAVID OPTEKARBroward Housing Solutions welcomed Lisa Vecchi as president/CEO and David
Optekar as COO in early 2008. Vecchi brings 20 years of experience to the position, having previously served as
healthcare executive placing indigent, homeless and disabled clients within skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Vecchi worked alongside case managers, clinical social workers, and long-term care providers within the tri-county area to accomplish successful placements.
Among her many achievements, Vecchi held the position of CEO/President, business owner and entrepreneur of an independent dental services organization, successfully headed a 28-person operational team within administration and customer care departments for Medicaid, Medicare, and Florida Healthy Kids, developed and executed effective fundraising campaigns and special events, and lead a six-person community outreach team in placement of homeless persons within Broward County, working closely with Broward Addiction Recovery Center, The COSAC Foundation-Helping Homeless People in America, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and
BROWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS
ASSETS Temporarily Permanently Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
CURRENT ASSETS: Cash $393,698 $ — $ — $393,698 Grants receivable 166,185 — — 166,185 Other receivables 25,148 — — 25,148 Prepaid expenses 101,036 — — 101,036
Total Current Assets 686,067 — — 686,067
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,442,939 364,363 5,872,192 1,065,055 7,301,610
OTHER ASSETS: Deposits and other assets 2,585 — — 2,585
TOTAL ASSETS $1,053,015 $5,872,192 $1,065,055 $7,990,262
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $42,046 $141,240 $ — $183,286 Current maturities of mortgages & notes payable 52,932 495,543 — 548,475 Security deposits 60,749 — — 60,749
Total Current Liabilities 155,727 636,783 — 792,510
MORTGAGE AND NOTES PAYABLE, net of current maturities — 3,171,180 — 3,171,180
TOTAL LIABILITIES 155,727 3,807,963 — 3,963,690
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
NET ASSETS 897,288 2,064,229 1,065,055 4,026,572
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $1,053,015 $5,872,192 $1,065,055 $7,990,262
The above Statement of Financial Position is not a full presentation of the agency’s financial statements. A full copy is available upon request.
Temporarily Permanently Unrestricted Restricted Restricted Total
SUPPORT & REVENUE: Government grants $24,445 $879,022 $ — $903,467 United Way and other grants 59,370 53,000 — 112,370 Contributed services and materials 72,640 — — 72,640 Residential rent 350,640 — — 350,640 Interest income 14,119 — — 14,119 Special event 83,791 — — 83,791 Other 4,220 941 — 5,161 Net assets released from restrictions — Satisfaction of program restrictions 833,883 (833,883) — —
TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE 1,443,108 99,080 — 1,542,188
EXPENSES: Program Services: Housing program 1,253,950 — — 1,253,950 Supporting Services: Management and general 164,198 — — 164,198 Fundraising 85,599 — — 85,599
Total Supporting Services 249,797 — — 249,797
TOTAL EXPENSES 1,503,747 — — 1,503,747
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS (60,639) 99,080 — 38,441
NET ASSETS – JULY 1, 2007 957,927 1,965,149 1,065,055 3,988,131
NET ASSETS – JUNE 30, 2008 $897,288 $2,064,229 $1,065,055 $4,026,572
The above Statement of Activities is not a full presentation of the agency’s financial statements. A full copy is available upon request.
South Florida Aids Network.Vecchi, trilingual in English, Spanish and Italian, graduated from State University
of New York-F.I.T. with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communications and also attended Middlesex Polytechnic College in London, England and Maison De Sorbonne in Paris.
Optekar came to Broward Housing Solutions from Our House in Dania, Inc., where he continues to serve as owner. Within seven months, Optekar successfully purchased, renovated and filled the 24-bed, HUD-subsidized low income housing project for individuals with mental illness. Previously, Optekar served as program director for Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services’ Extended Geriatric Residential Services Program for four years. As director, he managed a $1.3 million annual budget and was responsiblefor all day-to-day operations including the psychiatric and medical care of 15 persistently mentally ill individuals and supervision of 25 employees. Optekar also was a psychotherapist in private practice for three years. Optekar holds a Master’s in social work from Florida International University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Pittsburg State University.
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES for the year ended June 30, 2008
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION June 30, 2008
FUNDING SOURCES*
The Florida Department
of Children & Families 52.0% Tenant Rent 32.5% Broward County 7.0% Private Funders 4.3% United Way 3.2% Other 1.0%
*Approximate percentage of agency’s funding sources
OPENING DOORS FOR AGED-OUT FOSTER YOUTHBroward Housing Solutions hosted the grand opening of two properties, to Woodside
Gardens in Coral Springs and Wilson Gardens in Hollywood this past year, to provide affordable housing for local youth aging out of foster care with mental health issues. Local elected officials, along with city and county administrators from each city gathered recently to mark this special occasion in Broward County.
Wilson Gardens was a distressed, boarded-up apartment complex three years ago when it was deeded to Broward Housing Solutions by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, with an allocation of funds for repairs. Today, after extensive renovation, the property has been upgraded and revitalized to offer seven spacious, and fully furnished one-bedroom apartments. Henderson Mental Health Center, provides case managers for these residents. Woodside Gardens is a three-unit complex that houses six young adults who were previously in foster care, with case management and peer support provided by SOS Children’s Villages of Florida.
This program is supported by the generous financial backing from the Community Foundation of Broward, which allocated approximately $25,000 to Broward Housing Solutions for the Hollywood property and an additional $25,000 to Henderson Mental Health Center to provide case management services to the residents. Other funders include Broward County HOME, the Department of Children and Families, Broward County, Wachovia Foundation, Jim Moran Foundation, Bank of America, Broward Beautiful, and the Coral Springs Community Chest.
The apartments provide permanent, supportive and affordable rental housing at a cost of only 30 percent of the tenant’s monthly income, which amounts to approximately $200 per month for those who receive monthly Road To Independence (RTI) or Social Security disability payments.
THANK YOU TO OUR TOP FUNDERSThe Florida Department of Children and Families
Broward County Board of County Commissioners
The Wasie Foundation
United Way of Broward County
Wachovia Bank Foundation
Community Foundation of Broward
Jim Moran Foundation
Washington Mutual
Bank of America
Citi Foundation
TD Bank
HSBC Bank
Coral Springs Community Chest
Hollywood Ribbon Cutting: Frances Russo, Heidi O’Sheehan, Patricia Asseff, Lisa Magrino, Lisa Vecchi, Leslie Tworoger
Hollywood Ribbon Cutting: Elizabeth Wynter, Lisa Vecchi, Nancy Merolla, Stacy Lambert, Lisa Hoffmeyer
Coral Springs Ribbon Cutting: Melanie Burgess, Jeffrey Zirulnick, Adrienne Pollichemi
Hollywood Ribbon Cutting: John Aquino, Pamela Galan
Coral Springs Ribbon Cutting: Stacey Lambert, Diana Wasserman Rubin, Lisa Vecchi, Stacy Ritter, Vince Boccard, Roy Gold, Gus Carbonell
2007-2008 ANNUAL REPORT
CLIENT MENTALHEALTH DIAGNOSIS
Major Depression Disorder 45.3%Bipolar 27.3%Schizophrenia 26.3%Panic disorder 1.5%Paranoia 4.7%Anxiety 4.4%Dysthemia 1.2%Psychotic Disorder 7.8%Personality Disorder 4.7%Other 11.5%
BROWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS BY THE NUMBERSAverage rent $202 Number of rental apartments 92Number of tenants 179Number of rental properties 21Number of beds 152
• 66% of tenants surveyed were formerly homeless
• 87% of tenants surveyed experienced fewer hospitalizations since moving into their apartments
• 1 in 4 families in America are affected by mental illness according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness
ASTRONAUT BUZZ ALDRIN KEYNOTES EVENTAstronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin shared his historic
Apollo XI moon walk experience as well as his struggle with debilitating depression and alcoholism with 250 guests at a recent fundraiser for Broward Housing Solutions at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel in March 2008. The emcee for the event for the fourth year in a row was WPLG Local 10 Sports Anchor John Henry Smith.
“It was a great event,” said Lisa Vecchi, president and CEO of Broward Housing Solutions. “It all came together because of an outstanding staff, generous sponsors and wonderful volunteer committee led by Barb Capelletti and Sandy Brittain. I thank each of you.”
In addition to Barbara Capeletti and Sandy Brittain, the committee included Brett Atkinson from Moss, Nancy Bretas from Republic Services, Inc., Ralph Campbell from McKinley Financial Services, Bruce Christensen of Valley Bank, Walter B. Duke, III, from Clobus, McLemore & Duke, Inc., David Esposito of Marstan
Construction, Inc., Manny Fernandez of First American Title Insurance Co., Jane Katterhenry of Regent Bank, Anne McMichael, Phyllis and Rocky Rodriguez, Scott W. Rothstein of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Cindy Schutt of Cindy Schutt PR, William Stanton for LXR Luxury Resort & Hotels, Fort Lauderdale Collection, Dinah Stephenson of D. Stephenson Construction, Inc., and First Equity Title, LLC, Dwight Stephenson of D. Stephenson Construction, Inc., and Cathy Whiddon of Prudential Florida 1st Realty.
Major sponsors of the event were LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels, Comcast, Comerica Bank, Eli Lilly and Company, Great Florida Bank, Mercantil Commercebank, Moss & Associates, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler and Wachovia Bank.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSBroward Housing Solutions thanks its dedicated board members for their commitment
to the organization. This past year we faced the sad passing of original Board Secretary, Jan Anastasato, and a founding board member for the organization. We also lost Luis Colon, a mental health consumer and longtime tenant. Both will be missed.
A special thank you goes out to John Macchia who served with dedication at Broward Housing Solutions for six years, including four years as board chair. John moved out of the area and we wish him the very best.
BROWARD HOUSING SOLUTIONS 2007-2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Dr. Stacey Lambert ~ ChairNova Southeastern University
Shawn Masur ~ Vice ChairMonahan Masur Construction, Inc.
Jeffrey Mindling ~ TreasurerBankAtlantic
Maggie R. de Cambre, B.A., M.Sc ~ SecretaryBroward Health
Phillips G. Gay, Jr ~ Director
Cathy Westervelt ~ Director
Lisa Celestin ~Director
Ruth Franzen, LCSW ~ Director
Paul Figg ~ General CounselBerger Singerman, PA
Gary R. Fine ~ Ex-officio
Lisa Vecchi ~ President/CEO Broward Housing Solutions
Diana Wasserman-Rubin and Buzz Aldrin
Buzz and Lois Aldrin
Rafael Robert, Buzz Aldrin, Sandra Robert
Barbara Capeletti, Buzz Aldrin, Joe Capeletti
Diana Wasserman-Rubin, Nancy Merolla, WPLG Sports Anchor John Henry SmithPhyllis Rodriguez, Brandon Rodriguez, Buzz Aldrin, Rocky RodriguezBuzz Aldrin and Jan Anastasato
Please consider including Broward Housing Solutions in your estate plan.
305 S.E. 18 CourtFort Lauderdale, FL 33316954-764-2800 • 954-764-0036 (fax)www.BrowardHousingSolutions.org
Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDFort Lauderdale, Florida
Permit No. 5989