The Broward County Housing Authority will use $1.4 million in state and federal money to strengthen several local rental communities against hurricanes, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
The complexes — Highland Gardens and Park Ridge Court in Deerfield Beach and College Gardens in Dania Beach — will receive a number of improvements, including new roofs. Work is set to get started in a few weeks and should be completed by August or September, near the peak of hurricane season.
The funds are courtesy the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Housing Authority chief executive Ann Deibert said the agency had used state and federal aid to make improvements at its other housing complexes in the past.
“This is about mitigation,” Deibert said. “For future storms, hopefully we’ll sustain little or no damage.”
Hurricane damage in South Florida has been minimal in the past few years following direct hits from hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma in 2004 and 2005.
Founded in 1969, the Housing Authority oversees nine developments with nearly 450 residents. [Sun-Sentinel]—Evan Bleier