Neighborhood Renaissance Groundbreaking

28 October 2011

westgatesign-300x200West Palm Beach-based Neighborhood Renaissance Breaks Ground for 13 new affordable, energy-efficient homes for 13 new homeowners in Palm Beach County's Westgate/Belvedere Homes area.

October 26, 2011 - For immediate release

 

 

Terri Murray, Executive Director of Neighborhood Renaissance, announced today the groundbreaking at 2801 Saranac Avenue in Westgate for 13 quality built, energy efficient, 3-4 bedroom homes meeting green building standards with “Florida-friendly” landscaping to be built south of Westgate Avenue in Palm Beach County.  In partnership with the Westgate/Belvedere Homes Community Development Agency, Neighborhood Renaissance was awarded a HUD grant for construction from Palm Beach County Housing and Community Development Department through its Florida Community Development Block Grant 2005 Disaster Recovery Initiative program.  Acquisition funds were committed from the Florida Community Loan Fund.  The housing mix includes:

  • 4 - 4BR/2.5BA single-family homes priced from $95,000 – $100,000
  • 5-3BR/2BA single-family homes priced from  $90,000 – $95,000
  • 2 – 3BR/2.5BA-townhomes priced at $80,000

Neighborhood Renaissance is pleased to work in partnership with the Westgate/Belvedere Homes Community Redevelopment Agency to provide these new homes for 13 families.  The housing stock in the Westgate area has experienced deterioration causing blight.  Many homes were extensively damaged or destroyed during the 2004-2005 hurricanes.  These new homes will be assessed for consumption of energy to meet the standards of the Florida Green Building Coalition .   Development design will include:

  •  Eco-Friendly architectural design to minimize energy use by the homeowner
  •  Use of renewable and easily accessible building materials  minimizing the overall environmental impact of the development
  •  Drought resistant landscaping with grouping of plants with similar water needs and strategic placement to facilitate cooling of the home
  •  Preservation or donation of existing vegetation and top soil at the development sites when possible
  • Inclusion of Energy Star and other high energy efficient appliances

All of the homes will be made available to households earning at or below 80% of the area median income  addressing the need for affordable homeownership in the CRA.  This investment will help to increase the tax base, create jobs, prevent crime by reducing the number of vacant properties, and improve the quality life in the area.

Neighborhood Renaissance is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to breathing new life into economically distressed neighborhoods  by creating workforce housing opportunities, jobs, and small business prospects for low- and moderate-income persons.  Previous projects include the “Miracle on 34th Street” in West Palm Beach and the building or rehabilitation of approximately 30 in-fill homes in the north end of West Palm Beach through their Community Land Trust program and the lease-to-purchase program.

For more information, contact Christina Hewitt, Housing Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Our Partners

Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
Nutritious snacks are a part of the healthy focused curriculum at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.
FCLF supporter, the Northern Trust Company, hosted a housing roundtable in Sarasota.
FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.
FCLF Financing to Neighbor Up Brevard helps provide affordable rental housing.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.
FCLF financing to Housing Programs, Inc. helps provide affordable homes for ownership.
FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)
FCLF Chief Lending Officer visits with the Executive Director of Neighbor Up (formerly BNDC)
Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from Valley Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.
The duPont Fund used FCLF and NMTC Financing to revitalize downtown Jacksonville.
FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.
FCLF CEO and one of our supporters visit the ASPIRA Arts Deco school.
Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from Axiom Bank helps FCLF build strong communities.
FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.
FCLF Staff are on hand at conferences and events to discuss our programs.
FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.
FCLF representatives are ready to talk about your project success.
Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.
Greater Heights offers new, safe, affordable rental homes in what was formerly a high crime area.
FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.
FCLF staff and US Legislative staff at an event honoring Youth of the Year.
Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School
Rep. Ander Crenshaw visited KIPP Jacksonville School
FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.
FCLF and the NMTC Program renovated a historic building into a small business incubaor.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
FCLF projects create jobs and stimulate development in low-income communities.
DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.
DuPuis Pointe offers affordable, hurricane proof homes in Miami.
The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.
The RCRI Conference allows FCLF staff to touch base with our religious supporters.
FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.
FCLF staff are active at statewide conferences and events.
Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.
Neighbor Up, formerly BNDC, offers affordable housing in Brevard County.
FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.
FCLF staff with Tampa's Chloe Coney at Metropolitan Ministries Tampa.
FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.
FCLF Staff meet and greet friends at an FLACDC event.
FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.
FCLF staff and supporters volunteer at Million Meals event.
Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education  for the whole child in Brevard County.
Emma Jewel Charter Academy offers education for the whole child in Brevard County.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, financed the land for farmworker rental housing with FCLF.
TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.
TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have supported FCLF's mission since 2006.
ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.
ASPIRA of Florida offers education & mentoring with a focus on low-income and Latino students.
New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.
New rental homes are available for farmworker families at Casa San Juan Bosco.
FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.
FCLF Board Members represent our investors, borrowers, and technical experts.
Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.
Support from TD Bank Charitable Foundation helps FCLF build strong communities.
FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
FCLF and NMTC are creating a new facility for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.
Residents at Neighborhood Renaissance's Mathis Place enjoy affordable rent.
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Core Purpose FCLF exists to maximize opportunities for people and places outside of the economic mainstream.
Our Vision Opportunity and dignity exist for every person and community in Florida.
Our Mission Our expertise and capital make projects successful and help organizations improve lives and communities.