It has been a great joy representing you on the Broward County Commission. After serving for nearly two years, I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish together. My focus will continue to be on job creation, economic development, tourism and neighborhood revitalization.

As your "Commissioner On A Mission," I continue to share information on foreclosure assistance and the various programs available to you including the Florida Hardest Hit Program and the National Mortgage Settlement for homeowners.

Working with my colleagues on the County budget, we ensured NO reduction in transit services, NO layoffs and a reduction of taxes for the majority of taxpayers.

I also want to encourage each of you to be careful of losing wind mitigation discounts with your homeowners’ policy. Your premiums could be increased during these re-inspections if you don’t ensure proper maintenance for your property. This has been a major issue in southwestern Broward County and I am here to direct you to the appropriate contacts and resources.

As I approach my third year serving as your County Commissioner, I enjoy hearing from you about your ideas and your suggestions to improve our community. Feel free to contact me directly at bsharief@broward.org. I look forward to continue working for you!

Barbara Sharief
Broward County Commissioner
District 8

Florida Housing Finance Corporation was directed by the U.S. Treasury to create and administer foreclosure prevention assistance programs that address the unique issues of our state.

Two programs are available:

• Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMAP) – Homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed can use loan funds to pay mortgage and escrowed mortgage-related expenses until the homeowner can resume payments for up to 12 months (with a cap of $24,000). The participating homeowner will be required to pay 25 percent of his/her monthly income toward the monthly mortgage payment. In addition, up to $18,000 can be paid up-front to reinstate a delinquent first mortgage. Total available assistance is up to $42,000.
• Mortgage Loan Reinstatement Payment (MLRP) Program – Homeowners returning to work or recovering from underemployment can use loan funds as a one-time payment (up to $25,000) to bring the past-due first mortgage current.

Website: flhardesthithelp.org

Information: 877-863-5244

The National Mortgage Settlement Administrator will mail Notice Letter and Claim Forms in late September through early October 2012 to those borrowers who lost their home due to foreclosure between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011, and whose loans were serviced by one of the five mortgage servicers that are parties to the settlement. For more information, visit nationalmortgagesettlement.com or contact the National Mortgage Settlement Administrator at 1-866-430-8358.

After many months of negotiation, 49 state attorney generals and the federal government have reached agreement on a historic joint state-federal settlement with the country’s five largest loan servicers:

• Ally/GMAC (800-766-4622)

• Bank of America (877-488-7814)

• Citi (866-272-4749)

• JPMorgan Chase (866-372-6901)

• Wells Fargo (800-288-3212)

The settlement will provide as much as $25 billion in relief to distressed borrowers and direct payments to states and the federal government.

The settlement provides assistance for:

• Homeowners needing loan modifications now
• Borrowers who are current, but underwater
• Borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure

For more information, visit nationalmortgagesettlement.com or contact Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office.

Website: myfloridalegal.com

Phone: 850-414-3300 or 866-966-7226

We are seeking residents with an interest in public service to represent the needs of the district. If you are interested in being considered, please forward a detailed résumé to bsharief@broward.org. Be sure to include: your residency/permanent address; phone number and email address; whether you are a registered voter; whether you are a registered lobbyist; whether you serve on any other board, authority or agency (dual office holding); whether you are related to any Commissioner; and whether you have any potential conflicting business relationship.

The vacant boards are:

• Animal Care Advisory Committee
(1, county health department affiliation)

• Substance Abuse Advisory Board (1)

• Urban Wilderness Advisory Board
(1, represent the sciences)

The City of Miramar will receive $5,000 to support art and cultural initiatives. Hallandale Beach will also receive $5,000 to purchase books for a Micro-Library at the Foster Park Community Center. The City of West Park is in line for $2,000 to support city events including the Mary Kendrick Feed the Needy Feast. All of the money will come from the district office budget of County Commissioner Barbara Sharief. It’s the first time a County Commissioner has proposed using money they haven’t spent from their office budget to help cities with specific community requests.

"This is an innovative and creative method to support my constituents and critical projects in my district. I continue to be fiscally responsible and a good steward of taxpayer dollars, so with this action, $12,000 will support key initiatives in south county," Commissioner Sharief told her colleagues, also acknowledging approximately $20,000 will be sent back to the County’s general fund.

For accountability and transparency, an agreement has been drafted outlining the one-time, non-recurring payment to each city along with requiring a detailed report on expenditures after funds are received.

Each commissioner’s annual district budget is $341,530. The County Attorney opined community projects such as those proposed by Commissioner Sharief were an appropriate use of commission district funds with Board approval.

County Commissioner Sharief presents a $5,000 check to the City of Hallandale Commission to provide books for a micro-library located in the Foster Park Community Center.