A meet-up was held on January 10, where the inhabitants of Hollywood and local influencers had the chance to voice their worries to the members of the Community Development Advisory Board. One of the prominent issues brought up was the high percentage of Hollywood residents struggling with housing expenses; nearly half of homeowners and over half of renters in the city are deemed financially strained due to a large portion of their income being allocated to rent and mortgage payments. The main concern highlighted was the disparity between the high housing costs and the relatively low wages offered by many jobs in the region.
One of the Board members and community influencer, Cliff Germano, addressed this pressing matter, emphasizing the financial challenges faced by a considerable portion of Hollywood’s population, hindering their ability to afford basic necessities like food. Moreover, the aging infrastructure of many homes in Hollywood was discussed, with some requiring urgent repairs.
Additionally, various community leaders delivered presentations underscoring the significance of backing educational support programs, as well as life skills and vocational training initiatives.
The Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB), consisting of 11 members, offers guidance to the City Commission regarding the allocation of federal and state community development grant funds. Its key role involves assessing all funding appeals associated with the Community Development Block Grant and other grants to contribute to the formulation of the City’s Five Year Consolidated Plan and One Year Action Plan.
