The Broward Partnership and the Leo Goodwin Foundation have worked seamlessly together to help those less fortunate in Broward County find their way back.
In the mid 90’s, Broward County was in the midst of a growing homelessness problem. For more than 5 years, a series of temporary solutions were put forth, however, the situation did not improve.
It took the vision and resources of a handful of community and business leaders to find a solution. One of the first in the brain trust was Elliot Borkson, Esq., Vice President and Trustee of the Leo Goodwin Foundation. The group was tasked with the creation of a public/private partnership to service Broward’s increasing homeless. In 1997, Broward Partnership for the Homeless Inc. Was established and by February of 1999, they officially opened the 57,000 sq. Ft. Central Homeless Assistance Center (CHAC) in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Fast forward 20 years and as the Partnership enters its third decade of helping individuals and families find their way back, the Leo Goodwin Foundation and Elliot Borkson are again proving their positioning statement is true – “By doing good, we all win.”
In addition to being an Officer on the Broward Partnership Board of Directors, Mr. Borkson is also a member of the Partnership’s Master Planning Committee for Seven on Seventh (7on7th), a new, affordable, supportive housing community being developed for low-income and formerly homeless individuals and families.
“As a founding father of Broward Partnership for the Homeless (BPHI), Elliot Borkson is once again leading the way. In tandem with BPHI’s mission to provide housing, Elliot has played a vital role in the negotiation and structure of a unique joint partnership agreement with a local developer that ultimately generated a state subsidy award of approximately $25 million for the construction of Seven on Seventh, a 72 unit mixed-use development designed to house Broward County residents at up to 60% of area median income,” said Frances M. Esposito, Broward Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer. “ Elliot’s deep care and concern for the less fortunate continues as the design and construction phase of the project now unfolds with groundbreaking slated for December 2020,” she continued.
7on7th will be located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and will feature residential units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments with amenities that include readily available common space, a fitness center, and interactive library. Support services will include case management and a workforce development program. The community will also receive stringent “green” certifications.
7on7th will be an extension of the existing, award-winning Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center (“CHAC”), operated by the Broward Partnership. By offering comprehensive services in a state-of-the-art campus setting, 7on7th will improve the economic status of its targeted program residents and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood.
“Once the community is fully occupied, the Leo Goodwin Foundation is committed to ensuring its long-term sustainability,” said Elliot Borkson. “Maintaining the look, feel and integrity of 7on7th for years to come will take a strong commitment from organizations like the Leo Goodwin Foundation,” he continued.
Construction on 7on7th is scheduled to commence in late winter of 2020 and units are expected to be ready for occupancy in winter 2021.
