HACDC calls on community for help
The Haitian American Community Development Corporation (HACDC) is seeking the community’s help in making much needed upgrades to the Little Haiti Community Center, located at 181 NE 82nd Street. The center houses the HACDC offices, as well as the Haitian Women of Miami (FANM) and the Center for Information and Orientation (CI&O). These three non-profit organizations provide much needed community services, ranging from after-school programs to affordable housing, from immigration advocacy to economic development programming, all targeted primarily to members of the Haitian-American community., with aell over 300 clients visiting the facility every day.
HACDC is seeking funding to make immediate repairs to the parking lot, to replace doors and windows, and to repair exterior elements of the building. These repairs are estimated to cost over $100,000.
The development of the Little Haiti Community Center located is approved by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity as an approved project within the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP). Donations through the CCTCP will allow HACDC to make critical updates to this 11,000 square foot community center. Corporate donations through CCTCP allow business to designate their state tax dollars for this local project.
The project will go towards strengthening many of the HACDC’s current projects, including their First-Time Homebuyer Program. The HACDC’s housing department helped 25 families accomplished their goal of first-time homeownership in 2015 including 6 families who purchased one of HACDC’s completely renovated or new construction single family homes. HACDC has begun 2016 with 2 clients closing on the purchase of their first home. Staff conducted homebuyer education classes and provided individualized counseling on budgeting, money management, credit repair, and helped them develop savings plans – all necessary for them to realize their dream of purchasing a home.
The HACDC has been serving the Haitian-American community in South Florida for over 28 years, helping over 450 families buy their first home with over $44,000,000 in financing assembled for these buyers. More than 3000 of clients have received HUD certified home buyer education services and counseling and communities throughout North Miami-Dade County. HACDC has also worked with partner organizations to provide affordable rental housing for hundreds of families – all while also being engaged in community building activities that have produced neighborhood watches, after-school programs, a community garden and launched of a major commercial corridor revitalization initiative.
