Housing Support: Where to Go for Help

In Broward County, the dream of stable housing is slipping out of reach for thousands of residents. Our community is grappling with a housing crisis affecting families, Veterans, young people, and seniors. With rising costs and limited affordable options, many people experience impossible decisions — forced to choose between paying for rent or taking care of other basic needs.

The scale of the housing emergency is staggering:

• 94% of residents cannot afford the median sale price of a single-family home — now at $590,000.
• The price-to-income ratio stands at 9.8:1, threatening economic resilience.
• Average rent ranges from $2,109 for an efficiency unit to $3,298 for a three-bedroom apartment.
• Broward County loses an average of 15,711 affordable owner units and 9,602 affordable renter units annually due to market appreciation.
• Nearly 77,000 renters — two-thirds of whom are people of color — are severely cost-burdened, spending over 50% of their income on housing.

Amid this crisis with affordable housing, United Way Broward and our many community partners are stepping up to deliver tangible support. Our United Way’s United for Housing initiative is providing both immediate relief and long-term solutions for thousands of people who are facing housing instability.

Initiatives within our United Way include:

• Housing Resource Center: offering real-time data, support services, and guidance for people who are seeking housing assistance
• MISSION UNITED: providing case management and financial assistance to Veterans and their families in order to prevent homelessness
• ALICE support: focusing on households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) households working hard, but still living near or below the federal poverty level — over 50% of Broward’s households are the ALICE threshold
• Public policy and advocacy: working with civic leaders at the federal, state and local levels, developers, and financial institutions to increase affordable housing stock through strategic partnerships and policy reform
• Broward Business Council on Homelessness: mobilizing private-sector leadership and community advocates to drive lasting solutions for homelessness prevention

At United for Housing, we understand how essential stable housing is to thrive. Our team has compiled a list of trusted resources to support individuals and families in Broward County who are experiencing housing challenges. Whether you’re seeking emergency shelter, affordable housing options, or long-term assistance, these resources can help guide you toward safety and stability.

The following resources require entry through the Homeless Helpline:

• Central Homeless Assistance Center (CHAC), operated by Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. Call 954-779-3990.
• North Homeless Assistance Center (NHAC), operated by Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc., with emergency housing with comprehensive rehabilitative services for men, women, and families. Call 954-779-3990.
• Hope South Florida, emergency and rapid rehousing for homeless families and Veterans. Call 954-566-2311.
• Salvation Army, located at 1445 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-524-6991.
• The Taskforce for Ending Homelessness, Inc., providing street outreach, education, and advocacy to the homeless population in Broward County. Call 954-563-HELP (4357).
• Emergency shelters offered by the Homeless Helpline. Drop-offs and walk-ups will not be admitted. Call 954-563-HELP (4357).
• Care Resource offers family street outreach. Call 954-567-7141.
• The Salvation Army offers overnight shelter beds. Call 954)-524-6991.

These resources do not need referrals from the Taskforce for Ending Homelessness

• Covenant House, emergency/temporary housing and crisis intervention for young people from ages 18 to 22. Call 954-561-5559.
• South Homeless Assistance Center (SHAC), owned and operated by Broward Outreach Center, with emergency housing and a comprehensive recovery program for men, women, and families. Call 954-926-7417.
• The Lippman Family Center, short-term crisis and runaway housing for abused troubled and homeless adolescents (ages 12 to 17). Call 954-568-2801.
• Women in Distress, emergency/temporary housing, crisis intervention for victims of domestic violence, and 24-hour crisis line intake. Call 954-761-1133.

These resources for transitional housing require a referral from the coordinated entry process through the continuum of care administered by Broward County.

• Broward House Supportive Housing and Social Services, emergency transition housing and supportive housing. Call 954-568-7373.
• Broward Regional Health Planning Council, permanent housing placement assistance (PHP) and tenant-based rental vouchers (TBRV). Call 954-561-9681.
• Care Resource, case management for housing and assistance with submitting applications for PHP and short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance (STRMU). Call 954-567-7141.
• Covenant House, transitional housing and support services for young people from ages 18 to 22, including adolescent parents with children. Call 954-561-5559.
• Mount Olive Development Corporation, provides support for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). Call 954-764-6488.
• Salvation Army, transitional housing for families and single individuals. Call 954-524-6991.
• Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, residential facility for males ages 21 to 65, offering spiritual-based therapy program, walk-ins accepted. Call 954-463-3725.
• SunServe, case management for housing assistance and homeless prevention. Call 954-764-5150.
• West Care Foundation/The Village South, residential treatment for substance abuse. Call 305-573-3784, ext. 2.

Broward County’s housing crisis is threatening the stability and well-being of tens of thousands of residents. Skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and a shrinking supply of affordable units have caused a humanitarian issue affecting our entire community. Through the work of United Way Broward and our great community partners, people are reclaiming stability, dignity, and opportunity.

Every resident in Broward has a role to play in ensuring safe, affordable housing. You can make a huge difference in amplifying our United Way’s impact with affordable housing by:

• making a donation to support the increase in housing capacity and support the development of an engagement center for Individuals living on the streets
• volunteering your time by serving on the Broward Business Council for Homelessness or the Financial Prosperity Advisory Council
• sharing your unique insights with one of our United Way’s Affinity Groups or committees
• launching a workplace campaign or becoming a corporate sponsor — contact Tony Hopper at [email protected] for more information

If you or someone you know is facing housing insecurity, contact me by emailing [email protected] or calling the Homeless Helpline at 954-563-HELP.