Fort Lauderdale is getting a windfall of $88 million in federal money — and city officials want your input on how to spend it.
The money is being sent to help the community bounce back from the flooding caused by a record-breaking rainstorm that hit in April 2023.
The historic deluge swamped all of Fort Lauderdale, but four neighborhoods were hardest hit by the rain bomb: Edgewood, River Oaks, Melrose Manors and Melrose Park.
Fort Lauderdale can spend the money repairing damaged homes and buildings; restoring critical infrastructure and facilities; elevating existing structures; expanding community services; and strengthening the city against future storms.
Fort Lauderdale has set up an online survey for public input, said city spokeswoman Ashley Doussard. The feedback will directly shape recovery priorities and how the city protects against future storms, Doussard said.
The deadline to fill out the survey: Aug. 31.
The online survey is available in three languages.
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CoFtLSurveyEng
Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CoFtLSurveySpanish
Haitian Creole: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CoFtLSurveyCreole
To help spread the word about the survey, Fort Lauderdale plans to hold a community meeting on Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the 11th floor of a downtown tower at 101 NE Third Ave.
Those who aren’t able to attend in person can attend virtually at this link: ftlcity.info/cdbg0825m.
Assistant City Manager Chris Cooper shared the following details about how the money can be spent.
How much money in total did the city receive from the federal government for the April 2023 flood?
“Fort Lauderdale has been allocated $88,051,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds. These dollars can be used to address unmet needs from the April 2023 flood as well as to invest in mitigation projects that will help reduce the impact of future rain events.”
The April 2023 storm left more than 1,000 homes with major flood damage. Many homeowners have already spent thousands repairing and fixing up their homes. Will they be able to apply for reimbursement?
“That decision will depend on the required needs assessment currently underway. Reimbursements may be eligible, but federal rules require us to ensure that benefits are not duplicated. This means if a homeowner already received assistance for the same repair from the city, county, state, federal government, or through private insurance, they may not qualify for additional reimbursement.”
Does the city plan to use any of the money for the new City Hall?
“The required needs assessment will guide spending decisions. Federal Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funds may be used either as a local match for other federal grants or to cover portions that are publicly accessible, such as lobbies, Commission Chambers and plazas.”
If not, where will the money for the new City Hall come from?
“The City Hall project is expected to be financed through a combination of approaches, including federal grants and the issuance of bonds. The city also has the option to engage in a public-private partnership, which may facilitate other funding opportunities.”
Does the city already have money set aside for construction of the new City Hall?
“Yes. The city has committed $9.9 million toward a new City Hall. This includes $5.9 million in flood insurance proceeds and $4 million from the city’s General Fund.”
When will the city actually receive the $88 million?
“The city must first complete several administrative steps before the funds are released, including the required Action Plan, Capacity Assessment and Financial Certification. After HUD approval and a successful Capacity Assessment, a notice of funding availability will be published. The city will then begin the next phase, which includes creating programs, establishing application protocols and developing the necessary legal documents.”
Some people will want to know why it took more than two years after the flood for the federal money to be sent. Can you comment?
“Timelines for these types of federal disaster recovery allocations vary widely. In some cases, HUD announces funding within a few months, while in others it can take over a year. The pace depends on several factors, including how quickly Congress acts, the complexity of recovery needs and HUD’s application and administrative process.”
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan