The Homeless Initiatives Partnership Section, under the Community Partnerships Division, embarked on a mission to end homelessness in Broward County. In April 2018, a group of public, not-for-profit/faith-based and business leaders, law enforcement and city and county elected officials came together to form the Homelessness Collaborative in Broward. The mission of the Collaborative is to help persons experiencing homelessness find a safe, stable and dignified path to permanent housing, to end homeless as we know it in our community. In November 2018 the Collaborative reached a major milestone when the last of 80 individuals and families remaining in the downtown Fort Lauderdale encampment voluntarily moved out along with their pets and belongings; the first step in their journey toward realization of A Home for the Holidays. The closure of the encampment is an important milestone, but there’s much more work ahead. More...

Also in FY 2018, more than 4,584 individuals and families received emergency shelter and more than 1,835 individuals and families received permanent housing assistance.

For people experiencing homelessness 954-563-4357 is the number to call for assessment services.

The newest division of the Human Services Department is the Crisis Intervention and Support Division (CISD), which consolidated the direct service operations of the Nancy J. Cotterman Center and the Office of Justice Services. CISD will oversee the operations to ensure a continuum of crisis and intervention services to youth, adults and families and the delivery of services to victims of sexual assault and child abuse, as well as effective programs such as Juvenile Civil Citation, Adult Civil Citation, and Juvenile Predisposition Services.

The Nancy J. Cotterman Center is the only Certified Rape Crisis and Accredited Children’s Advocacy Center in Broward. Anyone needing assistance can call the 24-Hour Sexual Assault Helpline 954-761-RAPE.

In FY 2018, 729 youth received a civil citation rather than being arrested and processed through the juvenile justice system, avoiding $3.4 million dollars in cost. 99% of the youth completing the FY 2017 Juvenile Civil Citation Program did not re-offend within FY 2018.

The Family Success Division distributes millions of dollars in temporary payment assistance each year to help families achieve self-sufficiency. It launched its new Financial Capability Program which places one Financial Coach at each Family Success Center. The Coaches work one-on-one monthly with residents to help develop individualized financial goals and foster good financial management practices. Additionally, the Coaches help residents secure banking options, design a financial plan to build assets, establish or improve credit, develop a sustainable budget and build financial confidence.

Broward County secured more than $50 million dollars in FY 2018 in grants, cash and in-kind matches to help fund programs that assist our community’s most vulnerable residents.

The Broward Addiction Recovery Center helps residents over the age of 18 who are affected by substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders. This year, it opened a new state-of-the-art facility designed to house high-quality inpatient and outpatient addiction recovery treatment and support services. This facility will serve more than 4,500 clients each year. Clients can also receive outpatient services at four other facilities within Broward County.

Broward’s Elderly and Veterans Services ​helps thousands of seniors annually maintain their independence and age in place in their homes and communities. A team of Veteran Services Officers, all former military, helps local veterans, their families and dependents, receive the services, benefits and quality of life they deserve. 98% of the 3,494 seniors served remained in their own home and communities; 1,874 veterans and their families were assisted.