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On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, a home in the City of West Park suffered an explosion which resulted in multiple homes in the surrounding area experiencing damage. The following is an update since the first press release of December 29, 2023 regarding the City’s emergency management efforts:
During the January 17, 2024, City Commission meeting, the Commission adopted a resolution authorizing the establishment of a minor home repair assistance program for qualified residents within a half-block radius of the property located at 5206 SW 20th Street, who were affected by the explosion. This funding will be made available through a community benefit program contribution from a development partner. During the meeting, staff provided the Commission with a list of residents interested in applying for this assistance.
Following the January 17, 2024 Commission Meeting, staff immediately began contacting residents who submitted applications. So far, several residents have signed the required grant agreements agreeing to the guidelines of the Minor Home Repair Program, and the majority of affected residents have shown interest and will be accommodated with funding as available.
Another program would benefit residents is the County’s Housing Finance Division Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program. The County has announced they are now accepting funding applications for this program. The funded services include: hurricane hardening reroof or roof repair; installation of impact windows and exterior doors; minor home repairs such as air conditioning system replacement and electric panel replacement; water and sewer connection; and special needs/barrier free rehabilitation.
In our continued efforts to address housing needs, the City plans to submit an application to the TD Charitable Foundation for the Housing for Everyone Grant Competition. The funding is meant to support affordable housing with services to support independent living and assist with stable housing. If approved, we are considering using this funding to assist residents with needed home repairs. As a result, our submission will focus on construction and rehabilitation of homes, including owner occupied and rental (non-owner occupied) properties.
To continue addressing mental health or trauma resulting from the incident, residents may still contact the City’s authorized vendor, Memorial Health Systems, to seek mental health/trauma counseling services at no cost as part of the West Park Families Matter Program. The contact number to the program coordinator at Memorial Health Systems is: 954.471.6848.
To date, the State Fire Marshall is still actively investigating to determine the cause of the explosion. Meanwhile, affected residents have been allowed onto their properties to do any necessary material cleanup. This is a procedure that no government can assist a private property owner with; however, residents can seek guidance from the City if needed. The City has been guiding property owners on how to clean up construction debris and will continue to do so.
Additionally, during this process, the City has offered residential units to affected residents through the assistance of our state representative and local churches that own properties.
We will continue gathering information and working with local, county, and state officials to ensure residents affected by this incident have access to ongoing information and assistance, while observing the proper protocols for such incidences. Thank you to all partners for your ongoing support.
