The Lake Worth Community Development Corporation (LWCDC) was incorporated in November 1990 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit housing development corporation.  The corporation was organized specifically to promote affordable home owner occupancy, neighborhood beautification, safety and economic development within the City of Lake Worth (City) and Palm Beach County.

 

Drawn from ethnic groups of the community, and representing such diverse backgrounds as financial management, agricultural production management, nursing, community planning, architecture, civil engineering, property management, building trades and other skills, these men and women met to consider the feasibility of forming a Community Development Corporation (CDC).  The members all recognized that the “flight” away from the area by their newly educated and married children just starting families was due to fear of crime and the deterioration of their once stable, traditional neighborhoods.

 

The consensus was that the formation of a CDC could be a critical step in reversing the existing trend toward the declining quality of life for the citizens of the City.  Providing low and moderate income housing by renovating the existing housing stock and building new homes, thoughtfully designed for attractiveness and safety, would be the greatest legacy they could give to the community and its children.

 

One participant, a Lake Worth homeowner, brought to the group his extensive work experience with other CDCs.  In-depth discussions with him and with representatives from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) based in Chicago, demonstrated that the CDC approach has a twenty (20) year proven track record as an effective tool in the revitalization of both small towns and troubled inner city neighborhoods of larger cities.  Following their advice the LWCDC has been structured to function without the direct control of any governmental body and with the tax exempt status provided by IRS section 501(c)(3).

 

Since 1999, the LWCDC has helped over 200 first time homebuyers purchase homes throughout Palm Beach County. Each year the LWCDC offers educational workshops to prospective first-time homebuyers on a monthly basis. On average, 25 participants attend each class.  Although our staff is small considering the many accomplishments achieved over the years, we also design and build new homes in the City of Lake Worth’s most needed areas.

 

The LWCDC staff is known for its strong advocacy of the first-time homebuyers who work with us, as well as others in the community who seek direction to programs and services offered by the City and County in the areas of health, education and childcare.

 

The LWCDC has a 6 member Board of Directors (Board) that maintains an 80% attendance at board meetings and other LWCDC events.  The LWCDC Board and staff went through a strategic planning process with the help of a consultant, Christopher Plummer of ASK Development Solutions.  A two year strategic plan was developed and approved by the Board in April 2008.

 

Over the past 18 years and after several leadership changes and struggles, the LWCDC stabilized its operations and implemented several successful neighborhood initiatives. The LWCDC, through its Executive Director and current Board, has generated significant goodwill in the community and has attracted homebuyers back to the community.